Hello!

Thanks for checking out The Shreds & Patches Theater Project!

We believe in the profound, transformative power of communal imagining. Inspired by a

"poor theater" approach, we rely on creative, highly adaptable storytelling rather than expensive equipment or extensive facilities. Through simple but compelling theatricality, our company transforms everyday spaces, from school cafeterias to gymnasiums, into festive arenas meant for playful representation and meaningful reflection.

​We are proudly based in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia. Beyond serving K-12 students,

Shreds & Patches is dedicated to employing and developing local artists, educators, and theater students, providing them the opportunity to rigorously practice their craft without having to leave their home communities.

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Our work is made possible through deep regional partnerships. Working alongside The University of Virginia’s College at Wise provides us with invaluable rehearsal resources and offers outstanding collegiate students professional internship opportunities. Furthermore, the 50-year history of the Pro-Art Association provides the vital organizational infrastructure to bring our tours to life.

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Our Mission:  The Shreds & Patches Theater Project brings dynamic, live theater directly to the public schools of Central Appalachia—completely free of charge. By stripping away complicated technical demands, we prove that powerful storytelling belongs everywhere, and to everyone. Together, we ensure that students experience the magic of theater made by members of their own communities, right in their own schools.

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"A king of shreds and patches..." — William Shakespeare, Hamlet (Act 3, Scene 4)