ABOUT
The Early Days
In the summer of 2015, Frank Mihelich, at that time the professor of performance in the theatre program at California Baptist University, fulfilled a long-time dream of launching a theatre company. With the generous support and encouragement of a local theatre patron and a handful of theatre makers and dedicated CBU Theatre students and alumni, New Threads quickly became one of the cutting-edge theatre companies in the Inland Empire of Southern California. Between 2015 and 2020, New Threads produced Oleanna, God of Carnage, True West, Asleep in the Arms of God, The Crucible, All in the Timing, and The Christians.
The Post-Pandemic Period
In the spring of 2022, Frank made the pivotal decision to step away from teaching and dedicate himself fully to relaunching and growing New Threads Theatre Company. In just two years, New Threads produced four full-scale productions, launched our dynamic Writers’ Groups, started the annual Writer’s Retreat and curated three vibrant new play festivals—all fueling our mission to champion fresh voices and bold storytelling.
A New Chapter in Chattanooga, TN
In September 2024, Frank and his family made the exciting move to Chattanooga, TN, with a bold vision—to relaunch New Threads Theatre Company in the summer of 2025. Chattanooga, one of the fastest-growing cities in Tenneessee, is home to a thriving and dynamic arts scene, making it the perfect place for New Threads to flourish.
By embedding itself within Chattanooga’s creative ecosystem and engaging with the broader Southeastern arts community, New Threads aims to build a sustainable, artist-driven theatre company—one that nurtures new voices, fosters collaboration, and enriches the cultural landscape for years to come.
The Work
New Threads fosters an innovative approach to production development, for both established plays and new works, bringing the audience into every step of the process. In addition to our original three programs - Mainstage, In-Dialogue, and New Works - we recently launched the New Threads Writer’s Group to develop original plays and talented playwrights as part of its commitment to help emerging artists develop their theatrical voice.
New Threads wants to explore the issues we’re not supposed to talk about at Thanksgiving dinner - politics, religion, culture, etc. - and create a welcoming space for having hard conversations with people we might disagree with. New Threads is dedicated to building truly inclusive community around the “third-rail” social issues of our day, and we envision a day when all voices will be invited into the cultural conversation.
FRAnk mihelich-Artistic director
Frank Mihelich is the Artistic Director of New Threads Theatre Company, bringing a wealth of experience as a director, actor, producer, writer, and theatre educator. His work has spanned New York City, Southern California, Tennessee, and regional theatres across the country. A founding member of both Magis Theatre Company NYC and the original Threads Theatre Company NYC, Frank has also served as a Founding/Producing Director for The Courtyard Shakespeare Festival, in Riverside CA. His training includes an MFA in Acting from Columbia University, and he previously shaped the next generation of performers as a professor of theatre at California Baptist University. Passionate about the power of storytelling, Frank is committed to using theatre as a catalyst for building strong, vibrant communities.