The Flea Theater, founded in 1996, is located in the heart of lower Manhattan and was on a mission to “raise a joyful hell,” centering experimental theatre and performance art. CJAM was engaged in January of 2021 following a tumultuous public backlash against the organization led by a group of former resident artists known as “The Fled.” The damage to the organization’s public image was severe as allegations of exploitation, abuse, racism, and financial mismanagement filled news sources such as the New York Times and Variety Magazine. Since allegations had become public, the former executive director- along with a majority of the board members, who provided a large portion of the organization’s income in major gifts, resigned in disgrace, leaving the organization with a staff of 4 to pick up the pieces and in a very vulnerable position. 

CJAM Consulting was engaged by the remaining few staff and board members to address the named inequities, attempt a restorative justice process with the members of the Fled, re-position and re-imagine the organization’s mission, vision, and values grounded in anti-racism and anti-oppression, conduct training in diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, provide support to and restructure the organization’s staff and board, and provide ongoing coaching to executive leadership. The CJAM team worked intensively in partnership with the Flea Team. Over the course of 9 months, it transformed the organization into a dedicated home for Black, brown and queer artists to develop their work and share their vision in community with audiences. Additionally, CJAM was able to mediate conversations and repair the fractured relationship between the Flea and the Fled. Ultimately the Fled was adopted as a resident company with the support of the Flea, where they remain today.

Following the Flea’s re-launch in 2021, Artistic Director Niegel Smith announced his plan for departure. CJAM was re-engaged to lead the search and manage the transition in partnership with the Board. With the nature of the current labor market, the search remains open, and CJAM remains determined to find a new artistic leader who can shepherd the organization through their next chapter.