Ground Floor Theatre

06/23/2026

Just a few days ago, GFTQ Camp was named an Austin Chronicle Critics Pick.

And while that recognition means the world, what matters most has always been the campers.

GFTQ Camp has become more than a theatre camp. It is now a place where q***r young people get to show up fully as themselves and build something together.

Right now, we’re only 6% of the way to our $25,000 goal to keep camp tuition free and accessible.

Here are just a few words from former campers about their experiences.

If these stories move you, we hope you’ll help us keep this space going.

Donate now: https://gft.thundertix.com/campaigns/3347

06/22/2026

There’s only ONE WEEK until Katsura Sunshine comes to Ground Floor Theatre!

A show of hilarity and culture in equal doses.

All the way from Tokyo, Japan.

Sunshine is now in his 7th smash-hit year of performing Rakugo traditional comic storytelling at New World Stages in New York. 

Come for an hour of laughter and leave with a piece of Japan in you heart!

“A Master Storyteller!”
-The New York Times

“The King of Kimono Comedy!”
-Reuters New York

“There is only one Sunshine!”
-The New Yorker

Get your tickets for the ONE NIGHT ONLY event at GroundFloorTheatre.org/box

06/19/2026

Congratulations to GFT founder and artistic director, Lisa Scheps, on being named Best Stage Director in the 2026 Austin Chronicle’s Best of Austin Readers Poll.

Whether she’s directing a production (like Parade), mentoring artists, or helping shape the future of Austin theatre, Lisa brings care, humor, and a deep love of the arts to everything she does.

We’re lucky to have her. Congratulations, Lisa!!

06/18/2026

GFTv is back!!

Join Ground Floor Theatre Founder and newly named Austin Chronicle 2026 BEST STAGE DIRECTOR WINNER, Lisa Scheps, for the latest updates from Ground Floor Theatre.

Lisa shares exciting news about GFTQ Camp, recently recognized by the Austin Chronicle as one of Austin’s Best Camp for Q***r Characters, and our current fundraising campaign to support this year’s campers. Thanks to a generous $10,000 matching gift from Javid Properties, LLC, every donation made right now goes twice as far.

Want to become a GFTQ Camp Hero?

Listen to Lisa explain why this program matters and how your support helps create a space where q***r teens can create, connect, and belong.

Donate here now: https://gft.thundertix.com/campaigns/3347

You’ll also get the latest on Emiliana: A Revolution Cabaret by Jessica Peña Torres, coming this August, with casting announcements just around the corner.

Watch now, donate if you’re able, and stay tuned for more updates from Ground Floor Theatre!

ATX Theatre

06/18/2026

EXCITING NEWS! GFTQ Camp was named one of the Austin Chronicle’s Critics Picks. 🎉🎉🎉

We’re incredibly grateful for the recognition and proud of the young artists, counselors, designers, guest artists, volunteers, and supporters who make this program possible.

And the timing couldn’t be better. Right now, we’re raising $25,000 to support this year’s tuition-free camp, and every donation is being matched dollar for dollar up to $10,000. A big thank you to our matching donor, Javid Properties, LLC!

Read the article, celebrate with us, and help us keep this life-changing program accessible to q***r youth.

Donate to the GFTQ Camp campaign here: https://gft.thundertix.com/campaigns/3347

GFTQ Camp

06/16/2026

If you’re just joining us, we’re kicking off Year 3 of GFTQ Camp.

The thing that makes this camp what it is? The people in the room.

Campers work directly with award-winning, working theatre artists across every discipline. These are people actively creating and producing who choose to mentor the next generation of theatre makers.

What that means in practice:
• Professional-level artistic mentorship
• Fully tuition-free access to training that would normally cost hundreds (if not thousands)
• A space where LGBTQ+ youth build and perform original work rooted in their own experiences

This is only possible because of community support.

Your donations to our 2026 campaign fund meals, materials, production needs, and the full experience that makes camp possible.

We’re also thrilled to share a $10,000 matching gift from Javid Properties, LLC. Every dollar is doubled until we hit the first $10,000.

Our full goal is $25,000 to keep GFTQ Camp free and fully resourced.

Help LGBTQ+ youth take the stage and own it.

Donate: https://gft.thundertix.com/campaigns/3347
Or use the link in bio to give and share.

06/09/2026

Congratulations to all of the artists and organizations recognized at last night’s Austin Theatre Critics Awards!

We’re grateful to the Austin Theatre Critics and for recognizing the work being created across our community.

Ground Floor Theatre was honored to receive four awards:

Outstanding Ensemble - I Wanna Be a F*cking Princess

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical - Nicholas Hunter, Parade

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical - CB Feller, Parade

Outstanding Music Direction - Adam Roberts and Dr. Ellie Jarrett Shattles, Parade

This recognition represents the talent, collaboration, and dedication of so many artists, designers, technicians, staff members, volunteers, and supporters. We’re especially proud of the artists who brought these productions to life and of the inclusive stories that continue to find a home on our stage.

Congratulations again to all of this year’s nominees and winners. We’re thrilled to be part of this vibrant community!!

All production photography by fellow honoree

06/08/2026

Happy Pride Month! 🌈

Ground Floor Theatre believes every young person deserves a place where they can be seen, heard, and celebrated.

That’s why we created GFTQ Camp. The only tuition-free theatre camp serving LGBTQ+ youth in Central Texas.

For the past two summers, LGBTQ+ teens ages 13–17 have come together to build community, develop their artistic skills, share their stories, and create an original performance completely from scratch. This summer, we’re doing it again and we need YOUR help.

We’re thrilled to announce that Javid Properties, LLC has generously pledged a $10,000 matching gift for GFTQ Camp 2026.

That means every dollar donated will be doubled and help us reach our goal of $25,000 to support GFTQ Camp.

Your gift helps keep camp tuition-free, provides meals for campers, supports professional teaching artists and mentors, and gives LGBTQ+ youth a stage of their very own.

As we celebrate Pride, help us invest in the next generation of artists, storytellers, and leaders.

🔓 Help us unlock the full $10,000 match.
🎭 Help us keep GFTQ Camp tuition-free.
🩵Help us give q***r youth the space they deserve to create, connect, and thrive.

Donate here now: https://gft.thundertix.com/campaigns/3347

Together, we can make Camp 2026 our biggest and best year yet!

06/07/2026

Experience an evening of laughter and world-class storytelling at Ground Floor Theatre on June 29.

Join the internationally acclaimed Katsura Sunshine as he brings Japan’s centuries-old tradition of storytelling to Austin for a one-of-a-kind performance.

A show of hilarity and culture in equal doses!
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Katsura Sunshine completed his grueling traditional apprenticeship in Rakugo comic storytelling under the great Rakugo Master Katsura Bunshi VI in 2011.
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His performances have delighted audiences throughout the world as well as all over Japan.
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Sunshine has graced the Broadway stage with a different delightful Japanese story each month since 2019, at the famous New World Stages in Manhattan.
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Come for an hour of laughter and leave with a piece of Japan in you heart!
​
“A Master Storyteller!”
-The New York Times
​
“The King of Kimono Comedy!”
-Reuters New York
​
“There is only one Sunshine!”
-The New Yorker