BTC WELCOMES BREE TURNER AS NEW DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS & PARNERSHIPS
Press Contacts:
Rick Miramontez / Bailey Everett
rick@omdkc.com / bailey@omdkc.com
212 695 7400
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE
BTC
WELCOMES
BREE TURNER
AS NEW DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS & PARNERSHIPS
New York, NY (November 6, 2026) – Co-founders T. Oliver Reid, Warren Adams, and Reginald “Reggie” Van Lee announced today new leadership within the organization. Black Theatre Coalition (BTC), the organization aiming to build a sustainable, ethical roadmap to increase employment opportunities for Black theater professionals across the American theatre industry brings on Bree Turner as Director of Programs & Partnerships. The new appointment strengthens BTC’s leadership and commitment to developing the next generation of emerging talent.
A communications and events professional, actor, and advocate, Turner brings extensive experience in theatrical administration, strategic partnerships, and initiatives advancing access and opportunity.
Most recently, Turner served as Communications Manager at the John Gore Organization (JGO), where she oversaw corporate communications and produced high-profile events, including the Tony Awards® Afterparty and Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards. She also stewarded the relaunch of JGO’s website and produced segments for The Broadway Show with Tamsen Fadal.
Notably, Turner helped develop the Broadway Across America/Black Theatre Coalition Regional Apprenticeship Program, a paid initiative providing emerging theatre professionals with hands-on experience, mentorship, and career development opportunities. Under this partnership, applications increased nearly 1,200% between the program’s first and fifth years. The John Gore Organization was subsequently recognized with BTC’s Inaugural Visionary Ally Award.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bree to the BTC team,” said T. Oliver Reid and Warren Adams, Co-Founders of Black Theatre Coalition. “Bree already has a meaningful connection to our mission through her work developing the BAA/BTC Regional Apprenticeship Program. Her experience, commitment to creating opportunities, and understanding of our industry’s challenges make her uniquely positioned to help guide BTC into its next chapter.”
A graduate of the University of Florida with degrees in Political Science and Theatre, Turner has consistently championed opportunities for historically marginalized communities. Her work reflects a belief in theatre’s ability to affect hearts, change minds, and inspire social progress.
Turner got her start in a Business of Broadway course taught by Miles Wilkin, co-founder of Broadway Across America (BAA) and an industry veteran. Wilkin later offered her an internship in BAA’s Florida office, which led to her move to New York City to serve as Executive Assistant to Lauren Reid, President of The John Gore Organization (JGO) and then-Chair of The Broadway League.
“Watching Bree grow over the past five years has been one of the great joys of working with her,” said Lauren Reid, President of The John Gore Organization. “She joined us as an assistant with tremendous talent, curiosity, and potential, and quickly worked her way up. She leaves us as a talented leader who has made a meaningful impact throughout our offices. Through her work with BTC, she helped bring Broadway Across America’s mentorship program to life, creating opportunities and opening doors for the next generation. We are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished, and while we will miss having her on our team, we couldn’t be more excited for her next chapter at BTC. I can’t wait to see her soar.”
Mentorship has been an integral part of Turner’s story, and it will be a focus of her new role at BTC where she’ll work to create similar pathways for young people looking to make their mark on the industry.
As Director of Programs & Partnerships, Turner will oversee BTC’s fellowship and apprenticeship initiatives, strengthen industry relationships, and help expand pathways toward sustainable careers in theatre.
ABOUT BTC
BTC was founded by T. Oliver Reid and Warren Adams during the Summer of 2019. They identified the disparity between the growing inclusivity onstage, versus the almost non-existence of Black professionals off stage. They invited their colleague, Reggie Van Lee, to join them as Co-Founder in their march towards dismantling the systemically racist and biased ideology in the theatrical job space. BTC officially filed as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) in June of 2020.
BTC’s mission is to remove the “Illusion of Inclusion” in the American Theatre by removing barriers to access for those who have been historically marginalized and building a sustainable, ethical roadmap that will increase opportunities for the next generation of emerging talent.
For more information about BTC, visit their website https://buildingthechange.org/.
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