Blue Roses Project Formed Artistic Advisory Board
The New Orleans-based theater organization has named eight prominent industry leaders to its new advisory board.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Arts Theater — General
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The Blue Roses Project, founded by Gideon Glick and James Will McBride, has appointed an eight-member inaugural artistic advisory board. This new body will provide strategic counsel to support the group's mission of developing new plays and supporting the queer community.
Why it matters
The organization aims to eliminate barriers facing the queer community in the theater sector. By providing week-long residencies and 29-hour readings, the project helps emerging playwrights navigate the challenges of modern play development.
The organization utilizes 29-hour readings to workshop new plays and recently produced its inaugural reading titled Red Tide. The eight new board members will assist in scaling these developmental efforts.
The players
Blue Roses Project
This New Orleans-based organization focuses on supporting new play development and addressing systemic barriers faced by the queer theater community.
Gideon Glick
He is a co-founder of the Blue Roses Project and an actor known for his work on stage and screen.
James Will McBride
He is a co-founder of the Blue Roses Project dedicated to expanding opportunities for emerging playwrights.
Paula Vogel
She is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who founded Bard at the Gate and now serves on the advisory board of the Blue Roses Project.
Billy Eichner
He is a comedian, actor, and producer who has joined the artistic advisory board of the Blue Roses Project.
The details
The newly formed advisory board features notable figures including Bryan Batt, Lisa D'Amour, Billy Eichner, Raúl Esparza, Eva Noblezada, Noah J. Ricketts, Paula Vogel, and Jamie Wax. These members will collaborate to strengthen the organization's long-term vision of fostering a national community for emerging playwrights.
Timeline
The Blue Roses Project announced its new advisory board on September 22, 2026.
Paula Vogel founded the Bard at the Gate project in June 2020.
Industry Dynamics
The establishment of this advisory board follows a model of industry mentorship similar to Paula Vogel's Bard at the Gate. The project follows a pattern set by established industry initiatives that prioritize mentorship and development for underrepresented voices.
Local theatergoers in New Orleans can expect increased production opportunities and public readings as the organization grows its network. These developments may expand future access to experimental works and new plays developed through the project's residency programs.
The takeaway
The creation of this advisory board signals a professional expansion for the New Orleans theater community. Supporting small-scale developmental organizations is a key step in ensuring diverse voices reach national stages.
Further reading
For more information on the regional theater scene, visit our Arts Theater section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
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