Imagine a place that dares to speak truths many are afraid to say. A place that celebrates communities too often forgotten and tells the stories rarely heard. Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with Raymond O. Caldwell, Artistic Director, and Johannah Maynard Edwards, Managing Director, of The Fountain Theatre — a nonprofit performing arts organization in Hollywood, California, that has been producing bold, socially conscious theater for 35 years.
Raymond and Johannah share how they found each other through what Johannah calls a "cosmic poof," how they're navigating the transition from the theater's founding leadership into a new generation, and why they believe cultural institutions must serve as places to practice humanity in a post-pandemic world. From the Living Ticket model that removes price barriers to community dramaturgy that develops new plays inside faith communities and neighborhoods across Los Angeles, this conversation is a masterclass in mission-driven, human-centered arts leadership.
Founded in 1990 by Deborah Culver and Stephen Sachs, The Fountain Theatre was created as a creative home for artists from diverse cultural backgrounds. Its mission is to develop and present bold new plays and unique interpretations of established works that reflect the cultural richness and social issues of contemporary Los Angeles and the nation.
The Fountain Theatre has built a reputation over more than three decades for producing thought-provoking performances and supporting voices that may not always be heard on traditional stages. The organization is also known for presenting flamenco performances and running educational outreach programs that connect young people and communities to the arts.
Johannah Maynard Edwards, Managing Director
Prior to joining The Fountain, Johannah served as Executive Artistic Director of the National Women's Theater Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she produced, directed, and championed hundreds of productions by artists of underrepresented genders. A nationally recognized leader in arts accessibility, Johannah received the Kennedy Center's LEAD Award for Emerging Leaders and is Chief Ambassador for PAAL, the Parent Artist Advocacy League. She is passionate about developing new sociopolitical work and fostering equitable, inclusive spaces for artists and audiences alike.
Raymond O. Caldwell, Artistic Director
Prior to The Fountain, Raymond was the Artistic Director at Washington DC's Theater Alliance for six seasons, where he directed, developed, and produced socially conscious, thought-provoking programming that transformed the region and had a global impact. Under his leadership, Theater Alliance was chosen to lead an American Arts Envoy with the U.S. Department of State. He devised and directed new work with 23 artists and activists from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and the United States exploring what inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility mean on the global stage. Raymond was a faculty member and resident director at Harvard University's Department of Theater Arts, holds an MFA in Acting and New Play Development from Ohio State University, and a BFA in Acting from the University of Florida.
Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff is the host of Small and Gutsy, a podcast spotlighting nonprofits and social enterprises with budgets under $10 million. Small and Gutsy has been ranked number 8 on Feedspot's Top 30 Social Impact Podcasts and number 3 and number 9 by Million Podcasts for the Top 30 Volunteer Podcasts and Youth Empowerment episodes, respectively.
- The founding mission of The Fountain Theatre and its 35-year history of producing socially conscious work
- How Raymond and Johannah found each other and transitioned into leadership from the theater's founders
- Raymond's personal journey from Germany to the U.S., from actor to artistic director, and the mentor who told him "Don't wait for someone to give you a story — go make your own"
- Johannah founded her first nonprofit at age 19 at NYU and her philosophy of not waiting for gatekeepers to open the gate
- The creation of "Poetry for the People," a play about poet and activist June Jordan, developed over three years and three iterations with playwright Adrienne Torf
- How The Fountain Theatre responds to the cultural moment with every production — from the LA fires to ICE enforcement to the situation in Iran
- The pandemic of loneliness and the role of cultural institutions as places to practice humanity
- Audience cultivation and the challenge of building new, multigenerational audiences in a distracted digital age
- Community dramaturgy — developing new plays inside faith communities and neighborhoods across Los Angeles
- The Living Ticket model — transparent pricing that trusts audiences to name what they can pay
- The Fountain Voices summer education program connects young people with volunteerism, civic engagement, and playwriting
- The expansion into flamenco and classical Indian dance programming
- Storytelling as a tool for community building
- Emergent strategy and the philosophy of critical connection over critical mass
- Moving at the pace of humanity as a leadership philosophy
- The reveal that The Fountain Theatre operates with a staff of five
HOW TO FIND THE FOUNTAIN THEATRE
Website: FountainTheatre.com
Follow The Fountain Theatre on social media for upcoming productions, events, and community programming.
HOW TO CONNECT WITH SMALL & GUTSY
Website: SmallandGutsy.org
Email: Laura@SmallandGutsy.org
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