Woolly Mammoth Theatre Deepens Community Ties with Howard University and SMYAL

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company has announced Howard University and Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders (SMYAL) as its newest Connectivity Core Partners. The expansion of this program, launched in the 2020-21 season, underscores Woolly Mammoth’s commitment to fostering inclusive, anti-racist, and socially just artistic practices within the Washington, D.C. Community.

Strengthening Ties with Howard University

The partnership with Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts formalizes a pre-existing relationship with the university’s Department of Theatre Arts. This collaboration aims to create increased opportunities for student engagement, mentorship, and practical work experience within a nationally recognized regional theatre. Woolly Mammoth intends to bolster its role as a national incubator for latest theatrical work while simultaneously serving as a local training ground for emerging cultural leaders from the historic HBCU.

“At the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, we prepare artist-scholars to lead with both creative excellence and social responsibility,” stated Raquel Monroe, Ph.D., dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. “Woolly Mammoth’s bold producing ethos and commitment to civic dialogue resonate deeply with our mission. This partnership expands meaningful professional pathways for our students while strengthening the cultural ecosystem of Washington, D.C.”

Professor Pat Parks, area coordinator for Howard’s theatre arts administration program, highlighted the partnership’s educational value. Professor Parks utilizes A Strange Loop, a play previously staged at Woolly Mammoth before its Tony Award-winning Broadway transfer, as a case study in their “Arts & Innovation” course, examining its production and storytelling techniques. Howard University News

Empowering LGBTQ+ Youth with SMYAL

Founded in 1984, SMYAL has a four-decade history of supporting LGBTQ+ youth in Washington, D.C. Through programs focused on mental health, housing stability, leadership development, and education. The partnership with Woolly Mammoth will create ongoing opportunities for queer and trans youth to engage with theatre as a platform for creative expression, storytelling, and community building. This collaboration reflects Woolly Mammoth’s belief in the power of theatre to both reflect and inspire change, particularly for young people exploring their identities.

“SMYAL is thrilled to become a Connectivity Core Partner with Woolly Mammoth, joining forces to spark dialogue, inspire change, and create art that pushes for justice and inclusion,” said Rebecca York, director of youth development and community engagement at SMYAL. “Together, we’re opening doors for LGBTQ+ youth to explore their identities, share their experiences, and express themselves through powerful, transformative storytelling.” SMYAL Collaboration

Woolly Mammoth’s Core Partner Program

Woolly Mammoth’s Connectivity Core Partner Program now includes Black in Space, Mary Phillips, Miss Chief Rocka, Spit That, Strathmore, Theatre Lab/AICA, Howard University, and SMYAL. The program aims to sustain reciprocal relationships with organizations that share Woolly’s core values and contribute to a vibrant cultural landscape in Washington, D.C. Woolly Mammoth Company