Exposed Brick Theatre (EBT) is dedicated to telling untold stories, centering omitted narratives, and creating art at the intersection of identities. EBT’s vision is to live in an empathetic world where people and their stories are valued. EBT envisions being an authentic space for artists to develop their own narratives and, in doing so, to change the canon of theater–one story at a time.

Exposed Brick Theatre was founded in 2004 and is led by Co-Artistic Directors Aamera Siddiqui and Suzy Messerole. EBT is a social justice theater with significant engagement with the social justice arts ecosystem in the Twin Cities. EBT centers the narratives and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and POC artists and communities and aims to shift the culture of theater to one that is culturally responsive, accessible, and safe for BIPOC and intersectional communities. For 20 years, EBT has been creating new work for the stage. They have produced 19 world premiere productions, tackling important topics in culturally specific and culturally responsive ways. EBT supports new work for the stage, fosters early-career playwrights, fuels amazing partnerships, and engages students through meaningful workshops and residencies in schools.

Jerome Foundation supports Exposed Brick Theatre’s Through Our Eyes Playwrighting Cohort and commissioning program. Through Our Eyes (TOE) Playwriting Cohort is a comprehensive, paid, nine-month program to provide play development and mentorship opportunities for 5-6 early career playwrights from historically excluded communities. In year one, playwrights develop new work in a cohort setting, engage in monthly meetings to experiment with new structures and forms, and receive feedback. Mentors are then paired with each playwright to further develop their plays through workshops with actors and directors, culminating in a public staged reading. In year two, EBT supports 2 early career TOE playwrights, investing in the development and presentation of their work. The exact nature of this part of the program is determined by the playwrights, and will include a commissioning fee and at least one full production.