Mission/History
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The TBA Mission
To enrich our community by providing innovative and comprehensive theatre arts experiences through which artists of all ages can develop their creativity and self-expression; and in so doing stimulate human potential.
History
TBA stands for Training Better Artists, and with each project, we strive to give artists of all ages opportunities for growth. TBA Theatre was founded in 2003, by Shane Mitchell, Wayne Mitchell, Erin Mitchell, Eric Brown, Andrea Egger and Megan Bladow. In the first three years, TBA produced The Alaska Overnighters, produced other original works for the Last Frontier Theatre Conference, and primarily worked on intensives and residencies in the Anchorage School District. In 2006, TBA expanded and produced our first Main Stage Season of Plays at APU Grant Hall. We typically produce 5 plays as part of our main stage season, with a variety of additional works produced as part of our Red Curtain series at Halloween, the TBA After Dark series, at the Valdez Last Frontier Theatre Conference, in The Alaska Overnighters, and during our Summer Academies and Intensives in Anchorage and Valdez. For more information on the history of TBA, email founding Artistic Director, Shane Mitchell.
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Awards
Anchorage Daily News, Best of Alaska
Best Non-Profit Organization- Platinum Award (2008)
Best Live Theatre -Platinum Award (2021, 2020, 2019, 2017)
-Gold Award (2018, 2016)
- Silver Award (2015)
Best Summer Camp- Silver Award (2021)
Best Family Activity and Entertainment - Silver Award (2022)
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Anchorage Press, Press Picks
Best Arts Organization (2017)
Best Live Theatre- 1st (2017), 3rd (2020)
Broadway World, Regional Awards
2022
Favorite Local Theatre
Best Ensemble Performance- Hello Dolly
Best Theatre For Young Audiences Production- Death Valley's Halloween Hoedown
+ Best in Costume, Scenic Design, Direction, Musical Direction and Orchestra Performance, and Sound Design of Various Productions
2021
Best Musical- Can't Cancel Christmas
Best Play- A Christmas Carol
Production of the Year (in person)- IF
Best Streaming Musical- Can't Cancel Christmas
Best Streaming Play- A Christmas Carol
+ Best in Costume, Scenic Design, Choreography, and Direction of various productions!
2019
Theatre of The Year 2019
Best Musical - Westside Story
Best New Musical - Folks Tales
Best Play - Alice's Adventures In Wonderland
Best Touring Show - The Death of Edgar Allan Poe
2018
Theatre of The Year 2018
Best Musical - The Music Man
Best New Musical - A Christmas Knight
Best New Play - The Death of Edgar Allan Poe
Best Play - The Death of Edgar Allan Poe
Best Touring Show- The Death of Edgar Allan Poe
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