Since its founding in 2005, The Chocolate Factory Theater has supported the development and presentation of new work by a community of local, national and international artists working in dance, theater, performance, and multimedia. The Chocolate Factory’s programs have drawn many thousands of new visitors to its 5,000 square foot industrial facility in Long Island City, Queens. The organization is currently planning for the purchase and renovation of a permanent facility in the neighborhood.
The Chocolate Factory is artist-founded and artist-led. Its Artistic Director, Brian Rogers, continues to create and present his own work at The Chocolate Factory while providing support to a close-knit community of forward-thinking visiting artists working at all stages of their careers.
Artists invited to work at The Chocolate Factory receive exclusive development and performance residencies and are encouraged to put our space and technical resources to use in imaginative ways, with very few practical limitations. To this end, our multi-use spaces are designed for maximum flexibility. Multi-week creative residencies include dedicated access to our space and technical equipment free of charge; marketing, press, and administrative assistance; commissioning support; guaranteed artist salaries (lead artists and performers are paid by The Chocolate Factory as employees, on the books); and high quality photo and video documentation of the finished work. Since its first full season in Fall 2005, the Visiting Artist Program has supported the work of more than 500 artists.
