Our Mission

Upstream Theater is a professional production company dedicated to bringing a world of theater to St. Louis. We believe that art engages as much as it entertains, and that by feeding the senses we feed the soul. Our goal is to move you, and to move you to think.

WORLD CLASS THEATER FOR A WORLD CLASS CITY
Since 2005, Upstream has introduced St. Louis audiences to new plays from places as far-flung as Argentina and Australia, as well as innovative stagings of classics. Two-thirds of our shows have been U.S. premieres, and all are chosen for local impact. We collaborate with theater artistsfrom around the globe, and our shows continue to spark discourse in and beyond our local community.This international focus is unique in the region and rare in the country. Our innovative productions of classical and contemporary works have attracted consistent local recognition as well as national acclaim, including two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. We are also the only local company (and first in Missouri) to be awarded a National Theatre Grant from the American Theatre Wing (founder of the Tonys).

St. Louis is a city of great diversity, with a wealth of artistic talent. From the beginning we have put that diversity on stage by deliberately and consistently hiring across lines of race and ethnicity. We have also been committed to professionalism since our first production, and have always operated under a full contract with Actors’ Equity, which assures our actors safe working conditions, regulated wages and benefits.

“You can always expect an evening of mind-bending theater from Upstream; you just can't always predict how they'll achieve it.”

— Richard T. Green
talkinbroadway.com

UPSTREAM THEATER