The Bay Area Labor Theatre was a multi-project political theater association of over 75 workers and artists from around the San Francisco Bay. BALT campaigned in support for local labor strikes, abortion rights, and against U. S. intervention in Central America. Internally work focused on skills development workshops. BALT projects included a picket line troupe, Front Line Action Collective (FLAC) which brought short, issue oriented sketches to picket lines, rallies and meetings through out the area; an improvisation workshop; a 25 voice Labor Chorus performing upbeat programs of songs, developing a musical revue to tour theaters and union halls; a KPFA radio project; and a publication, Critical Times. BALT also became involved in teaching, participating in a San Francisco Community College Labor Studies Department program (May 1981) entitled "Work, Workers and Workers Art."

Bill Shields, a co-founder of BALT with Kevin Benge and Vesta Gray and a member of the Board of Directors, 1980-1982, co-produced with Rose Panico, KPFA's Swing N 'Shift, offering up a biweekly smorgasbord of satire, song, drama and documentary. The show premiered on May 28, 1981.

Richard O. Jarrett was a past President and member of the BALT Board of Directors (1981-1982), and a member of the American Federation of Postal Workers. He was active in Bay Area cultural life as a performer, writer and teacher since the late 1940's.