Evelyn Francis

Evelyn Francis (Director of Programs) an innovative theatre artist, educator and administrator with experience working directly with over 10 Boston area arts organizations. Evelyn’s M.A. in Theatre Education from Emerson College culminated in a thesis, which examined the effects of devised work in the lives of LGBT youth. Evelyn joined The Theater Offensive as the lead teaching artist for True Colors: Out Youth Theater in 2001. As a result of her work with the program, True Colors was designated the 2008 Social Innovator for Empowering Youth through the Arts by the Social Innovation Forum. In 2006, she became the Director of Education and in 2010 she was promoted to her current position as Director of Programs.

Evelyn now oversees and implements all elements of The Theater Offensive’s OUT in Your Neighborhood strategy. She produces the full season of neighborhood productions including World Premiers and New England Premiers, which are accompanied by community activities.

Evelyn stays connected to True Colors as the Director of the Summer Troupe and Adult Advisor of the Leadership and Inclusion Council. She oversees the development of the True Colors Creative Action Crew and True Colors Studio.

In 2010, she became the co-chair of the executive committee of the Pride Youth Theater Alliance. She has also facilitated workshops at the following conferences: PYTA, AATE, Creating Change, GLSEN, National Guild for Community Arts Education, the Boston Trans* Youth Summit, the Connecticut True Colors Conference.

At home in Boston, Evelyn loves meeting with youth artists or national artists and making jewelry in her albeit limited spare time.