In 2026, the Los Angeles Theatre Initiative (LATI)  is excited to collaborate with students from Ithaca College, Loyola Marymount University, Northwestern University, UCLA, and University of Southern California to premiere works on their campuses and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. These new works vary in themes, from an investigation of the gun violence epidemic in America from the eyes of schoolchildren to a satirical and fantastical comedy about a teenage learning she’s queer. 

The Los Angeles Theatre Initiative is rooted in providing access to a variety of cultures and creating an artistic community grounded in anti-racism, diversity of our stories and ensembles, and accessibility in front of and behind the curtain. The current administration is working to dismantle these values in our educational institutions, encouraging universities to delete pages or sections of websites and programs focused on DEI and even withholding federal funding. Students around America are worried about what their future will hold and how their academic institutions will support them over the next four years, but LATI is dedicated to ensuring that our support of our student artists and their diverse stories remains unwavering. 

This is where you can help! One access point LATI is limited in our ability to support is financial access. We are currently raising money to support fundraising for venue costs and production materials. Every cent of this goes directly towards supporting the ability for low-income arts students to produce, direct, act, or design at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Every dollar helps.