Posted July 28, 2026
Shaping the future of Dallas theater: Two cultural giants plan to join forces
This story originally appeared on WFAA Midday with Kara Sewell
In a historic move aimed at reshaping the North Texas cultural landscape, two of the city’s premier performing arts institutions announced plans to merge under a single operational umbrella.
The AT&T Performing Arts Center (AT&T PAC) and the Dallas Theater Center (DTC) revealed preliminary plans to combine their organizations, a response to shifting national industry trends and economic pressures facing the arts sector.
Under the proposed arrangement, the two non-profits will consolidate operational functions—including finance, marketing, fundraising, and ticketing—under the AT&T PAC umbrella, while preserving the distinct artistic programming that has made both institutions mainstays of the Dallas Arts District.
“The performing arts industry has been undergoing profound systemic change nationwide,” said Warren Tranquada, president and CEO of AT&T PAC, who will lead the newly unified organization. “Stagnation is not an option. Two major Dallas institutions are coming together in a proactive way to write our future, creating a new artistic and business model that can set the stage for strength and sustainability in North Texas and beyond.”
Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson offered his backing, “This is a bold step for these signature cultural institutions, one that distinguishes Dallas as a national change leader and helps ensure our Arts District continues to be an economic, cultural and tourism engine for Downtown,” Johnson said.
Beyond administrative efficiencies, the combined organization plans to expand its educational and community programming.
By pooling resources from DTC’s Project Discovery and AT&T PAC’s Open Stages and Backstage Spotlight initiatives, leaders aim to dramatically scale up youth access to the arts. The long-term goal of the partnership is ambitious: to ensure every student in North Texas experiences live theater as a formal part of their education.
The proposed merger is not yet final. Both institutions are entering a period of due diligence and targeted capital fundraising.
The formal combination remains subject to approval by the respective boards of directors for both AT&T PAC and DTC. If approved, the official launch of the combined organization is expected in early 2027.