JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
Artist Fellowship Program

Main Street Theater’s JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Artist Fellowship Program is a paid artistic leadership development program for early-career artists of color. Applicants submit a resume and portfolio. The selected fellows will be assigned to a production either with the MainStage or Theater for Youth programs in their area of interest (Directing, Design, or Stage Management) while being given access to additional professional development opportunities within the Main Street Theater organization.

2025 – 2026 JEDI Artist Fellows

Mariana Pérez (she/her) is a Mexican actress, director, and educator passionate about creating theater that bridges cultures and generations. She has directed Captain Star / Capitán Estrella, a bilingual play for young audiences performed at the Consulate of Mexico, The Music Inside of Me, a short film featured at La Vida es Cortos Festival. She also served as Assistant Director on El Llano en Llamas with HAPAA Houston and is currently Assisting Directing Duermevella with Teatro Loft. Mariana is especially interested in theater for youth and in the imaginative possibilities of theater with objects. She is committed to nurturing curiosity, creativity, and cultural pride in young audiences while continuing to grow as a director and storyteller.

Sha’Na “Shay” Lynnette Smith is a Houston-based multidisciplinary artist, arts educator, and wellness practitioner whose work centers on poetry, storytelling, and community care. A graduate of Prairie View A&M University with a B.A. in Theatre Arts, Shay’s creative practice spans writing, directing, performance, painting, music, and somatic sound healing.

Shay has performed in a wide range of roles—including Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Vera in Seven Guitars—and directed acclaimed productions such as Black Nativity by Langston Hughes, Mirandy and Brother Wind by John Cornelius and Michael Bobbitt.

As an educator and certified wellness practitioner, Shay blends creativity and healing to foster inclusive spaces for growth. Her contributions to Houston’s arts scene have earned her support from The Idea Fund and the Art and Survival Fellowship.

APPLICATIONS FOR 2025 – 2026 ARE NOW OPEN.

PLEASE SEE BELOW.

Application Information & Important Dates

Application Deadline | Rolling
Candidate Interviews | Rolling
Fellowship Date Range | September 2025 – August 2026 Candidates will be selected for one production on either the MainStage or Theater for Youth during the 2025/2026 season.

See full application below.

Eligibility

Identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color
Resides in Houston or the surrounding area
Applicant’s experience must indicate their intention to pursue a professional career in directing, stage management or design for the theater.
Directing fellows will attend auditions, production meetings, rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and Opening Night of their designated production.
Stage Management fellows will attend auditions, production meetings, rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and all performances of their designated production.
Design fellows will attend production meetings and assist their design mentor as needed, both on and off site, and be present for all technical rehearsals.
Min. age: 22

Compensation

$1,500 stipend is provided to each Fellow

Benefits

Professional development and networking opportunities
Complimentary tickets to Main Street Theater productions
Mentorship opportunities at Main Street Theater and in the Houston theater community

For more information or if you have questions about the Fellowship, please contact Rebecca Greene Udden, Executive Artistic Director, at rudden@mainstreettheater.com

Apply:

MST JEDI Fellowship Program Application

Name(Required)

First Last

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Area of Interest(Required)

Preferred Program(Required)

Do you have daytime availability?(Required)

Yes

Do you have reliable transportation?(Required)

Yes

Highest Level of Education(Required)

School or University Attended(Required)

Graduation Date(Required)

REFERENCES:

Input three employment references in the field below (if not already included in your resume or CV) Please include each reference's Name and Contact Information (phone and email)

First Reference

Name(Required)

First Last

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Second Reference

Name(Required)

First Last

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Third Reference

Name(Required)

First Last

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR UPLOAD:

Letter of Interest, no longer than two (2) pages, that addresses the following:
- Why are you interested in the Fellowship? What attracts you to this particular Fellowship?
- What are your goals as an artist? Where do you want to be in a year? How will this Fellowship help you achieve your goals?
- Tell us about yourself: your experiences, dreams. What do you bring to this cohort of Fellows, mentors, and Main Street Theater staff?
- Why are you a fit for this particular Fellowship?
- Have you been mentored, or mentored someone before?
Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
Two (2) letters of recommendation from arts professionals

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#MST47

Did you know that Main Street Theater has been part of the Houston community since 1975? And that each season we provide 250+ jobs for local artists AND reach over 100,000 audience members from Houston
PLUS nearly 50,000 more across the state of Texas?

Help support local, professional theater.

Help us raise $47K in 47 days to end our 47^th Season with a bang!

Main Street Theater JEDI Events

2022 Cyber Week Sale

This year we’re having a WEEK-LONG CYBER SALE for performances in 2023!

JEDI Artist Fellowship Program

JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
Artist Fellowship Program

MST JEDI Fellowship Program Application

REFERENCES:

First Reference

Second Reference

Third Reference

APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR UPLOAD:

Did you know that Main Street Theater has been part of the Houston community since 1975? And that each season we provide 250+ jobs for local artists AND reach over 100,000 audience members from Houston PLUS nearly 50,000 more across the state of Texas?

Help support local, professional theater.

Help us raise $47K in 47 days to end our 47th Season with a bang!

This year we’re having a WEEK-LONG CYBER SALE for performances in 2023!

JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Artist Fellowship Program

MST JEDI Fellowship Program Application

REFERENCES:

First Reference

Second Reference

Third Reference

APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR UPLOAD:

Did you know that Main Street Theater has been part of the Houston community since 1975? And that each season we provide 250+ jobs for local artists AND reach over 100,000 audience members from Houston
PLUS nearly 50,000 more across the state of Texas?

Help us raise $47K in 47 days to end our 47^th Season with a bang!

JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
Artist Fellowship Program