This morning the AT&T Performing Arts Center (AT&T PAC) and Dallas Theater Center (DTC) announced exploratory plans to combine our organizations in a bold, forward-looking partnership designed to strengthen the future of the performing arts in Dallas while preserving the distinct artistic identities and missions of both institutions.
By merging these two legacy organizations, we can achieve more than either of us could do on our own. This historic partnership positions us to continue serving our North Texas community and helps ensure that Dallas continues to thrive as one of America’s great performing arts cities.
What you’ll see:
- More Great Theater for More People. Under a unified AT&T PAC organization, led by president and CEO Warren Tranquada, AT&T PAC will continue presenting world-class artists and performances through Center Presents, Broadway at the Center, and its innovative Elevator Project. DTC will continue producing bold, innovative theater under the leadership of Enloe/Rose Artistic Director Jaime Castañeda, building on its history of national recognition, including the 2017 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. This combined institution will bring you an even broader range of theatrical experiences, more ambitious productions, and added opportunities to enjoy exceptional live performance.
- Expanded education. From student matinee performances, after-school and summer theater programs, and classes and workshops in neighborhoods across North Texas, together we will build on our award-winning programs to bring you more impactful programs, engaging more students – of all ages!
- Supporting Dallas artists. DTC will keep producing exceptional theater with its Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company and create new opportunities for actors, directors, designers, playwrights, musicians, technicians, and other creative professionals. AT&T PAC will continue providing critical support for Dallas artists and cultural organizations with collaborative marketing, ticketing services, and premiere performance spaces.
- Your experience. For you, our audiences, there will be no interruption to performances, subscriptions, ticketing, memberships, or programming during the transition. Patrons can expect the same high-quality experiences they know and value. And when alignment is complete, you’ll have more ticketing options, such as creating personalized packages across more art forms and more flexible exchanges, and new membership opportunities, all made possible through closer collaboration.
This alignment positions us to meet the opportunities and challenges of the future. The performing arts industry has been undergoing profound systemic change nationwide. Stagnation is not an option. By coming together to write our own future, we are creating a new artistic and business model that sets the stage for strength and sustainability, and situates Dallas as a leader on the national stage.
The merging of legacy institutions is built on a long history of partnership and friendship. Since AT&T PAC’s opening in 2009, DTC has been one of its five esteemed resident companies. DTC’s home is in the iconic Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre and it will continue as a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest professional theatre association in the United States. It reinforces that the singular Dallas Arts District remains a premier hub for the arts and a vibrant economic and cultural engine in downtown Dallas.
This unification still must be approved by our individual boards. Following several months of due diligence, we expect those votes will come later this year, with our organizations formally combining in early 2027.
In the meantime, for you? Same engaging live performances, same iconic spaces, same great cultural experiences! You’ll start seeing expanded programming opportunities with our 2027-2028 seasons.
Full Press Release
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What will this combined organization look like?
- AT&T Performing Arts Center will be the unified organization. All departments and employees
will be part of the combined organization which will be led by AT&T PAC president and CEO
Warren Tranquada. AT&T PAC will continue its role presenting world-class artists and
performances through Center Presents, Broadway at the Center and the Elevator Project,
overseeing facility operations and will remain steward of its iconic, 10-acre campus in the Dallas
Arts District.
- Dallas Theater Center, under the visionary leadership of Enloe/Rose Artistic Director Jaime
Castañeda, will become the producing division of the combined organization focused on
creating bold, innovative theater, building on its history of national recognition, including the
2017 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Its productions and seasons will continue to
carry the Dallas Theater Center brand. It will remain a member of the League of Resident
Theaters (LORT), the largest professional theatre association in the United States.
- We are building a strong and sustainable business model that will support our goals of providing
more great theater for more people, expanded education, improved patron service and
supporting Dallas artists.
Why are DTC and AT&T PAC making this move?
- The nonprofit arts industry is undergoing profound systemic change nationwide. Audience
behavior is changing. This shift has been underway for years, but was accelerated by COVID.
Government support is shrinking as well. Doing nothing is not an option. Instead, AT&T PAC and
DTC have joined together to write our own future and create a model that sets the stage for
strength and sustainability and positions Dallas as a leader on the national stage.
- For our organizations, this is a natural evolution. DTC played a critical role in the AT&T PAC
origin story. We have a long history of friendship and partnership. DTC has been a resident
company since AT&T PAC’s founding, and DTC’s home is in the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre.
For audiences, what does this mean for tickets, shows and seasons?
- For our patrons, nothing changes in the near future. All your tickets are good and currently
scheduled shows and seasons will proceed as expected.
- In the future, audiences can expect one combined ticketing operation, the ability to
customize performance packages across multiple art forms, and enhanced membership
programs.
Will A Christmas Carol continue?
- Yes. Dallas Theater Center will continue to produce A Christmas Carol at the Wyly Theatre. This
beloved holiday tradition remains an important part of DTC’s artistic identity and connection
with audiences across North Texas.
What about the Elevator Project?
- AT&T PAC will continue to produce the Elevator Project, now completing its 11th year.
What is the opportunity for each organization’s education programs?
- We see tremendous potential for growth and impact in the combined organization’s education
programs. Both organizations have strong, established programs. Some programs have similar
missions and theatrical alignment, and others carve out unique spaces in dance and leadership
training through the arts. By combining, we see potential to have one of the most impactful arts
education programs in Texas.
Will DTC remain a resident company?
- DTC will no longer be a resident company. It will now be the producing division of AT&T PAC.
What does it mean for AT&T PAC’s remaining resident companies and presenting partners?
- Nothing changes in AT&T PAC’s relationships or long-term contracts with its valued
stakeholders.
Will you be including other resident companies or arts organizations in your combined organization?
- We currently have no plans to include other resident companies or arts organizations.
What will this mean for the Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company?
- The Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company will continue to play a central role in Dallas
Theater Center productions and artistic identity. The company remains an important part of
DTC’s commitment to producing theater, developing artists, and investing in creative talent.
Will this impact the Moody Fund for the Arts?
- AT&T PAC will continue its stewardship of the Moody Fund for the Arts which just awarded a
record $475,000 in grants to a record 70 small Dallas arts organizations. The Moody Fund for the
Arts is a permanently restricted endowment funded in perpetuity for this purpose.
What will Kevin Moriarty’s role be in the combined organization?
- Kevin Moriarty will continue leading Dallas Theater Center through the transition and play a
significant role in the integration process. Once the merger integration is complete, he will
conclude his tenure at DTC, with the unified organization led by AT&T Performing Arts Center
President and CEO Warren Tranquada and Dallas Theater Center’s artistic work continuing
under Enloe/Rose Artistic Director Jaime Castañeda.
As this initiative progresses, we will keep our patrons and the media informed on updates
and news through our regular email outreach and social media.
