Latino Theater Company
For 40 years, Latino Theater Company has served as a producing theater rooted in Los Angeles. One of our most important initiatives is the National Latino Theater Initiative (NLTI), a grantmaking program that supports 52 Latino theater companies nationwide. We have been part of Grantmakers in the Arts for the past four years. At a time of repression and lack of representation in our country, when our community is under attack, it is urgent to build community and cultivate leadership for what comes next.
That is why our most exciting work right now is a long-term, succession plan to develop the next generation of leaders in both our company and the field. We currently have succession members on staff, a cohort working alongside current leadership, gaining hands-on experience, and already creating initiatives of their own. As Artistic Director José Luis Valenzuela describes, this effort is centered on a key question: how do we build the structures, resources, and space for others to truly lead? In organizations of color, this kind of transition requires deep intention. It is not simply about continuity, but about reimagining leadership in a way that is sustainable and responsive to the field. Looking ahead, this transition aligns with a pivotal moment for Los Angeles.
As the city prepares for the 2028 Olympics, we see an opportunity to ensure that the cultural leadership of our communities is part of that global moment. Preparing the next generation to step into that role feels both urgent and full of possibility.