Mission & Vision

Mission

Inspired by the intelligence and emotional wisdom of young people, we create professional theater, foster inclusive community, and nurture meaningful learning through the arts.

Vision

• Metro Theater Company envisions a strong, vibrant and diverse St. Louis where every person is valued and respected, and where all young people are empowered to reach their full human potential without barriers.

• Because we know that theater’s impact is both powerful and immediate, we produce work for audiences of all ages that inspires laughter, wonder, recognition and understanding.

• Because we believe that the arts, and theater in particular, can bridge cultural divides, we produce work that provokes thought, fosters dialogue and prompts action.

• Because we appreciate how the arts celebrate our differences and cultivate common ground, we create a welcoming environment for all people in our work.

• Because we believe young people deserve the finest art we can create, we honor and support the professional artists who do the work of our mission.

• Because creative risk-taking reveals avenues of self-discovery, we develop and produce new plays.

• Because we understand that learning through the arts inspires joy, awakens the mind to new possibilities and provides tools for lifelong learning, we design and offer education programs for people of all ages.

• Because we believe that every young person deserves access to the arts, we actively seek to reach children and young adults in diverse settings with our programs.

• Because we know that by working together with others we can enrich our artistic process, expand our reach and deepen our impact, we partner with schools and other local and national organizations.

• Because of our enduring commitment to the community, we sustainably manage our growth thoughtfully, carefully and responsibly.

• Because we know the arts are irreplaceable avenues for expressing and experiencing the full measure of what it is to be human, we advocate for the arts in all our lives.

Values

MTC’s values are articulated in the four pillars of our current strategic plan, which will guide the company’s organizational direction through spring 2025:

1) WE PRODUCE ART TO EXPLORE, EXPRESS, AND CONNECT US TO STORIES THAT MAKE US HUMAN.

Metro Theater Company creates programming on stage and in the classroom that reflects and illuminates the lived experiences of young people. We embrace innovation, pursue dynamic partnerships, and develop new work to build bridges and celebrate difference, building a more vibrant future for our region.

2) WE ARE COMMITTED TO THEATER AS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR LEARNING.

Theater awakens minds and hearts to new possibilities and opens pathways to lifelong learning for people of all ages. We create safe, joyous spaces for students to take artistic risks, practice empathy, build community, and develop critical thinking skills. We recognize continuous learning and improvement is critical at every age – for the young people we serve, our teams on the staff and board, and the community as a whole.

3) EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND RESPECT ARE CRITICAL ASPECTS OF OUR STRENGTH.

MTC’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racist practices are a direct outgrowth of the respect for young people that anchors our mission. We strive to reflect the diverse lived experiences and identities of our community through hiring practices, equitable community investment, and partnerships and collaboration in all our work, in every setting where it occurs.

4) RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF RESOURCES IS AT OUR CORE.

Recognizing human resources are our most valuable asset, we invest in the growth and development of all who work at Metro Theater Company. Long-term sustainability of the organization depends upon continual growth and wise management of financial resources, deep community relationships, and strength and efficiency in infrastructure.