NEW YORK CITY: The Liminal Theatre Collective (TLTC) has announced their launch as a new theatre collective with a mission to amplify underrepresented voices, reimagine the stage as a space for transformation, and cultivate the next generation of diverse theatre artists through game-changing arts education programs and more.
At the helm is Broadway veteran Azudi Onyejekwe (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812,Violet), whose vision for TLTC is rooted in access, incubation, and innovation. “Liminal Theatre is where tradition meets transformation,” said Onyejekwe, TLTC’s founder and artistic director, in a statement. “TLTC is a revolutionary commitment to reshaping the industry by creating meaningful opportunities for artists of color at every stage of their journey.”
A key pillar of TLTC’s mission is the Ivy Initiative, a fully subsidized, conservatory-level training program for rising high school juniors and seniors from under-resourced communities in NYC. Named in honor of Onyejekwe’s late mother, a lifelong educator, the Ivy Initiative is designed to bridge the gap for young artists of color, offering professional training, mentorship, scholarships, and industry access that have historically been out of reach. The initiative is also backed by Broadway star Nichelle Lewis (The Wiz), who serves as the Ivy Initiative’s ambassador.
Programming is also slated to include:
- Liminal Lab Series: A development space for emerging theatremakers of color to fully stage their work.
- First Draft Series: A workshop and feedback space for new plays-in-progress.
- Mainstage Productions: at least one fully produced, boundary-pushing new or reimagined work each season.
- Portal Sessions: free, semi-monthly community gatherings fostering dialogue, creativity, and collaboration.
Alongside Onyejekwe is producing director and co-founder Zevity Lopez, a seasoned theatre administrator and producer with experience at Dallas Theater Center, Madison Theater, Watertower Theater, and Kitchen Sink Theatre Company, and as assistant producer for the world premiere contemporary pop musical His Story: The Musical. The collective also includes Ava Jones (outreach director and co-founder), Rocío Pérez (education consultant), Olivia Ella (social media coordinator), and an ensemble of emerging and established artists.
