About Us
Straighten Your Crown Productions
Welcome to Straighten Your Crown Productions. We are a Tony-nominated, innovative and forward-thinking production company dedicated to developing ground-breaking projects in both theatre and film. At Straighten Your Crown Productions, we pride ourselves on our commitment to nurture original content and emerging artists in addition to supporting established material rooted in the message of inclusivity and authenticity.
Straighten Your Crown Productions envisions a world where the stage and screen reflect the rich tapestry
of human experiences. We believe in the power of storytelling to connect and inspire.
“When the world seems dark, when connection seems impossible, when you feel unseen or unheard... Straighten Your Crown, Darling, and remember who you are.”
— Our Motto
This encapsulates the spirit of Straighten Your Crown Productions. It's a rallying cry to individuals facing the challenges of a complex world. We believe that everyone possesses an innate strength and resilience, and everyone has a story to tell. Sometimes all it takes is a gentle reminder to straighten your crown – a symbolic gesture to embrace your identity, worth, and power. At the heart of our mission is a dedication to original content. We thrive on innovation, pushing boundaries, and presenting stories that are fresh, compelling, and thought-provoking.
Discover the extraordinary in the ordinary, and the power in authenticity at Straighten Your Crown Productions.
Let's create, connect, and remember who we are, together.
Our Founder
Nicole LaFountaine, the dynamic force behind Straighten Your Crown Productions, began her professional theatre journey over 30 years ago, initially as the assistant to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Really Useful Group. She then returned to her hometown of Fire Island Pines, carving out a successful path as a real estate investor and property manager. Driven by an unwavering passion for the arts, Nicole has dedicated her “third act” to a full-time return to her theatrical roots.
Throughout her real estate career, Nicole remained dedicated to the arts as a performer, investor, producer and philanthropist holding several committee and board positions with organizations such a Broadway Cares, Equity Fights AIDS, The Fire Island Dance Festival, and the Fire Island Pines Arts Project.
Now, at the helm of Straighten Your Crown Productions, Nicole has taken her wealth of experience to create a hub for creative minds to flourish; connecting people and creating spaces where artistic expression can thrive. It's not just about making something; it's about making something extraordinary, and it is not just WHAT we make, but HOW we make it that truly matters.
Nicole LaFountaine, Founder and President
Nicole's commitment to creating these artistic spaces remains at the forefront of her endeavors. Her leadership is characterized by a deep understanding of the evolving dynamics within the theatre and film industries. She perceives the challenges posed by escalating commercial production costs and is steadfast in her mission to provide opportunities for new voices to be heard, ensuring their productions receive the exposure needed to succeed in commercial markets. Through the Fire Island Pines Arts Project, alongside New York Theatre Barn, Nicole is the co-creator of the Barn on Fire new musical writers’ residency program, which provides writers and creative teams an opportunity to develop new original musicals while also collaborating with a like-minded community of artists. She also founded the SYC Development Initiative, a non-profit arts organization committed to support the creation of original content while ensuring that creators and performers receive a living wage for their invaluable contributions.
