About Crowded Fire

A vital home for fierce, new plays and the artists who dare to create them

Crowded Fire Theater (CFT) is a critically acclaimed company for new play production on the West Coast. Known for developing and producing poetic, bold, relevant works by up-and-coming playwrights, CFT contributes to the creation of a contemporary canon that reflects the diverse world in which we live. We are in our 28th year of pushing the bounds of theater, experimenting on and off the stage, and collectively imagining and building a more liberated, connected and courageous world through theater.

Our Story

Operating with a shared leadership model, CFT produces one to three mainstage shows each season, and actively supports the creation of high-quality contemporary theater through commissions, in-house workshops, a playwright-in-residence, and an annual free public reading series. 

Our Leadership Team works in deep collaboration with an ensemble of Resident Artists comprising top Bay Area actors, designers, directors, and dramaturgs. This group, with its multiplicity of interests and ideas, as well as the dedication and talent of its members, represents one of the company’s most significant strengths. 

In our 25-year history, CFT has cultivated rich, long-term relationships with our Bay Area audiences, serving as a true regional home for fierce, new plays.

“one of San Francisco’s most uncompromising small theaters” – San Jose Mercury News

“daring, idiosyncratic, and ambitious…” —The Guardian

“Being good at sharing isn’t always glamorous enough to make headlines, but for years Crowded Fire Theater has low-key excelled at it.” – San Francisco Chronicle

“one of the most reliable local stops for high-quality new work by diverse voices… The company has been instrumental in introducing the Bay Area to new writers who push the boundaries of what theatre can be.” – American Theatre Magazine

“One of San Francisco’s most enterprising small companies… commissioning new plays and presenting wonderfully odd and oddly wonderful shows that are unlike anything anywhere else.” – San Francisco Examiner

“a feisty company specializing in difficult, subversive works by emerging playwrights” – San Francisco Weekly

Read more about our commitments to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our Code of Conduct.

Timeline

1997
Crowded Fire's first production

Our first production, Greek Salad, was produced under the ensemble name “Concrete Dreams.” Later that year, Crowded Fire was founded, under Artistic Director Rebecca Novick.

1998
Crowded Fire's first season

Crowded Fire’s first full season consisted of two productions, directed by Founding Artistic Director Rebecca Novick.

2007
Leadership transition — Matchbox Reading Series established

Rebecca Novick steps down. Cassie Beck and Kent Nicholson serve as Co-Artistic Directors.

The Matchbox Reading Series established.

2008–2014
Marissa Wolf serves as Artistic Director

Matchbox formally codified as the development arm of the company. Reading Series grows from two to four readings with emphasis on local playwrights.

Company expands from two to three mainstage productions in 2011; original Matchbox production model retired.

2015–2023
Mina Morita serves as Artistic Director

Christopher Chen announced as first Playwright-in-Residence (2016).

R&D Lab launched (2017).

Star Finch announced as Playwright-in-Residence (2020), supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Playwright in Residence Program, in partnership with Campo Santo and HowlRound Theatre Commons.

R&D Cohort 1: 2017–2019 Cohort 2: 2019–2021 Cohort 3: 2021–2023 Cohort 4: 2024–2026

Read the 2015 announcement

2018–2019
The HIVE Project

An audience-sharing initiative with Ubuntu Theater Project (now Oakland Theater Project) and Gritty City Repertory Youth Theatre, rooted in collaboration rather than competition and supported by the Zellerbach Family Foundation. The first cohort of 25 audience members attended five theater-sharing events together and formed an audience think-tank. Project managed by Nailah Harper-Malveaux.

Read the 2018 press release

2020–2022
Camp Crowded Fire

An annual scavenger hunt fundraiser. Teams worked through a list of challenges, shared their proof with #CampCrowdedFire, and supporters donated to cheer on their favorite team.

2023
Transition to shared leadership

Shared Leadership Team: Riley Alyson, Caro Asercion, Bethany Herron, Nailah Harper-Malveaux, Julie McCormick, Mina Morita, Leigh Rondon-Davis.

Mina Morita and Bethany Herron depart end of 2023.

Read the 2023 announcement

2026
Three Co-Executive Directors established

Riley Alyson (Production & Management), Nailah Harper-Malveaux (Artistic & Connectivity), Julie McCormick (Finance & Fundraising).

Star Finch’s Playwright-in-Residence concludes June 2026.

Read the April 2026 announcement