AG
Annette Gates
With a B.A. in Theater Arts and an M.S. in Television, I spend a lot of time working in the arts! I am a playwright and screenwriter, with a passion for horror movies, coming of age stories, and any other story that will make me think critically about the world around me.
Articles
Theatre and the ArtsEconomic Development
The Inclusive Arts City: Funding, Training, and Design Strategies That Work
<p class="mb-4">Community arts centers have a rare opportunity to become the most welcoming rooms in town- if they are designed and programmed with in...
March 5, 2026Read article
Theatre and the ArtsSustainability
Curtain Up on Climate and Culture: Reimagining Historic Theaters as Sustainable Community Anchors
<p class="mb-4">Historic theaters don’t have to choose between nostalgia and net zero. With sharp planning and a few well-placed interventions, these ...
February 28, 2026Read article
Theatre and the ArtsHealth and Mental Wellness
The Community Is the Canvas: Art, Therapy, and the New Public Health Playbook
<p class="mb-4">In cities that feel more fragmented by the day, local arts centers may be doing more heavy lifting for our collective well-being than ...
February 25, 2026Read article
Theatre and the Arts
Grants, Grit, and Curtain Calls: Inside the NEA’s Support System for Theatre
<p class="mb-4">When a single federal grant can turn a risky new play into the next national phenomenon, theatre funding suddenly feels a lot less abs...
February 18, 2026Read article
Theatre and the Arts
Backstage Bridges: How Technical Theatre Builds Inclusive Communities
<p class="mb-4">Behind every standing ovation, carpenters, electricians, stitchers, and sound techs are quietly turning bare stages into shared worlds...
February 14, 2026Read article
Theatre and the Arts
Stages of Change: How Theatre Fuels Civic Dialogue
<p class="mb-4">When the curtain rises, what if the goal isn’t applause but understanding? Theatre, at its best, doesn’t just entertain- it invites co...
February 9, 2026Read article
Theatre and the Arts
Culture on the Corner: Why City Leaders Should Bet Big on Small Theaters
<p class="mb-4">Independent movie theaters do far more than sell popcorn; they curate the stories that shape what communities see, feel, and fight for...
February 5, 2026Read article
Theatre and the Arts
Seniors in the Spotlight: Theatre, Music, and the Evidence for Healthier Aging
<p class="mb-4">Choir kids belting out show tunes in the lobby, a 90‑year‑old debuting her first painting, a man with dementia suddenly singing every ...
February 1, 2026Read article
Theatre and the Arts
Rolling Credits, Rising Communities: Film Tax Breaks and the New Arts Workforce
<p class="mb-4">Tax incentives for film and television are quietly rewriting the economic script for arts communities, turning soundstages into engine...
January 22, 2026Read article
Theatre and the Arts
Band, Brush, and Stage: How Cities Can Turn Teen Creativity into Community Power
<p class="mb-4">Teenagers are writing plays with orchestras, staging original musicals with school bands, and performing spoken-word alongside youth e...
January 9, 2026Read article
Theatre and the Arts
Reel Towns, Real Impact: How Movie Locations Supercharge Small-Town Main Streets
<p class="mb-4">Preserving movie filming sites in small towns is more than a nostalgic endeavor - it can be a strategic tool for economic development ...
January 5, 2026Read article
Theatre and the Arts
Strings Attached: How Puppetry Is Transforming Modern Theater
<p class="mb-4">At first glance, puppetry may seem a quaint art form tucked away in children’s shows or folk festivals. But look closer, and you’ll fi...
January 2, 2026Read article
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