A Broken Umbrella Theatre
Always Fresh. Always New Haven.
Original, site-specific theater rooted in New Haven's culture, history, and neighborhoods.
Since 2008
About Us
Who We Are
A Broken Umbrella Theatre is a New Haven-based ensemble that creates original, site-specific theatrical experiences. Every production is inspired by the culture and history of New Haven. Always Original. Always Fresh. Always New Haven.
What We Do
We transform familiar places into stages for discovery — parks, tunnels, warehouses, pizza shops, and theaters. Through song, dance, spectacle, and storytelling, we connect audiences to real moments from our city’s past.
Why It Matters
We are the only theater company whose main purpose is to create original work inspired by New Haven’s history. To date we have renovated and inhabited ten unique locations, each chosen for its deep connection to the story we tell.
How We Work
We are an all-volunteer company. Over 100 artists per project, ranging in age from eight to over 65. Together we create immersive experiences that could only happen in New Haven.
Past Shows
15 original productions, each inspired by a real moment in New Haven’s history.
See all productions
“Artistry as great as any major theater in Connecticut”
— Hartford Courant
The Ensemble
38
One mission. Always New Haven.
Our artists range in age from eight to over 65. The majority live, work, and raise families in New Haven. Just when our state is losing young professionals and families, our artists are moving to New Haven because of the innovative work we are doing.
Meet the ensembleNew Haven
Every show starts here. New Haven is our stage, our subject, and our community. From the first telephone exchange to the Erector Set, from Wooster Street apizza to the New Haven Green — we find the stories hiding in plain sight.
Explore New Haven’s historyThe Umbrella
280 Blake Street, New Haven
A Broken Umbrella Theatre is building a permanent home for New Haven’s creative community — a black box theater, gallery space, and community hub at the crossroads of Westville, West Hills, and Beaver Hills.
$900,000 raised toward our $1,050,000 goal. Every dollar you give is matched — dollar for dollar.
Learn about The UmbrellaRaise the Roof campaignNew Pages, New Stages, All Ages
Your gift helps make new New Haven stories: new scripts on the page, new work on stage, and welcoming theater experiences for audiences of every age.
A Broken Umbrella Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible.
Get in Touch
Questions? Want to volunteer, join our mailing list, partner, or just say hello? We’d love to hear from you.
info@abrokenumbrella.orgGet UpdatesContact us