San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company (SFBATCO) is an artist-led theater company dedicated to developing and producing new work that amplifies the voices and experiences of historically marginalized communities. Founded in 2014 by Artistic Director Rodney Earl Jackson Jr. and collaborators, SFBATCO has become a leading force in the Bay Area’s cultural landscape, known for its bold world premieres, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and deep commitment to equity in the performing arts. Through mainstage productions, artist development initiatives such as the Creators Lab and New Roots Theatre Festival, and youth and community programs, we provide meaningful pathways for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ artists while cultivating one of the region’s most diverse audiences.

Over the last 11 years, SFBATCO has produced 19 full productions that have reached over 35,000 audience members, and our free youth programs have served more than 2,500 students. We run the theatre program at Ida B. Wells, a Title One continuation school, as well as the youth after-school program at Brava called the Young Actors Lab. Our professional productions focus on new works by local artists that provide dynamic, non-stereotypical of the Bay Area’s diverse communities. In response to our critically acclaimed 2024 production of Sign My Name to Freedom about local legend Betty Reid Soskin, KQED referred to SFBATCO as “one of the most critical developers of new work in the Bay.”