Chance Theater is an intimate theater that tells big stories. Our venue, the Bette Aitken theater arts Center, has a 130-seat flex space and a 50-seat fixed proscenium. Chance Theater is all about defying the odds. Who would have thought a small theater troupe producing their own original plays in the backend of an Anaheim Hills industrial complex in 1999 would evolve into a company with a two-stage venue, a subscription season of plays and musicals, a season of theatre for young audiences, a new works program that includes commissions and prominent resident playwrights, an outreach program for at-risk teens, students on the spectrum, and veterans, a highly engaged board of directors, and an artistic company filled with some of the most sought-after artists in our region? We are the only theater in OC with an artistic director of color, a majority staff of women or BIPOC. Working on behalf of our conviction that the performing arts are an essential public good, critical to a healthy and truly democratic society, and invaluable as a source of personal enrichment and growth, we produce socially conscious, intimate theater experiences to provoke dialogue and motivate our patrons to stay after each performance to explore the human experience and build empathy along with our artists and their fellow neighbors. In 2016, we became the sole OC theater to receive the prestigious National Theatre Company grant from American Theatre Wing for “nurturing a community of artists in ways that strengthen and demonstrate the quality, diversity, and dynamism of American theatre.” In addition, we are one of the few theaters outside of LA County to receive Ovation Awards, taking home 8 awards including 4 for Best Production, and 4 LA Drama Critics Awards including the Polly Warfield Award for Outstanding Season. Theatre critics frequently acknowledge our productions in Top Ten Lists and Critic's Choices and named "Outstanding Arts Organization" twice by Arts OC. This is all made possible by the uncommonly dedicated and committed community we have cultivated through a very active audience engagement program that includes post-show discussions or other events after every performance, invitations to early design presentations, partnerships with community organizations, and more. We strive to make a difference and better our community every day by seeking connection and emotional truth through the power of live theater.