Because People Matter.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and access are integral to upholding this EdTA core value. We want everyone involved with EdTA — from students and teachers to volunteers and event attendees — to feel important and respected by our organization and our Thespians. Learn how we’re actively striving to make theatre education more equitable and inclusive.
We Believe...
- Every student deserves access to theatre as part of a well-rounded education.
- Theatre has the power to change hearts and minds in the work toward social justice.
- It takes diversity of thought, culture, background, and perspective to reach our full potential as an organization.
- We stand with all communities of color against violence and racism.
- Theatre should be a safe space for students of all genders, sexual orientations, physical and mental abilities, and beliefs.
- School theatre builds cultural competence among students and teachers.
- School theatre programs are the pipeline to expanding diversity in the education field and theatre industry.
Our Goal
For theatre education to reflect the diversity of the population — the teachers who teach, the students who participate, the stories we tell.
Our Actions
As part of our three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion action plan, EdTA is focusing on racial equity to address the ongoing underrepresentation of people of color across the field and EdTA.
Our Progress
- 40% presenters of color in EdTA programming
- 5 EDTA board directors of color (45%)
- Ongoing development of DEI resources for teachers
- Partner in $8.5 million US Department of Education grant to advance DEIA
- Piloting technical theatre curriculum development in communities of color
- New Pathway program to advance racial equity in schools
- Tracking race and ethnicity in our member data to measure progress and gaps
- Publication of monologues written by artists of color for students of color
- In 2023, the EdTA board is actively developing a new statement of anti-racism for the organization. The board and staff are jointly creating an anti-racist action plan to guide our forward progress.
Celebrating Exploring Honoring Black History Month
DEI News
Pathway Pilot Program Expands to Three New Schools in 2022-23
Two Cincinnati area schools and one Atlanta school will receive $10,000 to
Advocate for Inclusivity in Urban Economics Understands How Theatre Paves the Way
Elwood Hopkins is no stranger to the disadvantages faced by people of
Promoting Inclusion by Expanding Access
JumpStart Theatre
This foundation program creates sustainable theatre programs in middle schools where there previously were none.
Pathway
Now in a pilot phase, Pathway aims to build racial equity through school theatre – by funding productions encouraging racial dialogue at schools in low-income communities of color.
Creating Inclusive Experiences
At our events, EdTA strives to create a welcoming and equitable environment for all, from housing assignments to physical accessibility to racial representation. Our events aim to offer brave spaces, promote inclusion, build cultural competency, and broaden attendees’ horizons. We want every student and teacher to feel at home, while challenging our community to always strive to do more and do better toward access and inclusion.
Join Our Journey
Our commitment to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization is an ongoing journey involving our staff, board of directors, members, and friends in the theatre and education fields. If you would like to get involved and help make a difference — through involvement in an initiative or simply sharing your experiences from a DEI perspective — please contact us.
Our Workplace and Culture
We want EdTA to be a reflection of the world around us. While we have much work to do, we’re committed to actively building diversity within our staff and board leadership. How we’re creating a culture of inclusion and equity in the workplace:
- Holding one another accountable for allyship as part of our core values
- Providing tools and training to support employee development
- Creating brave spaces for employees to learn and grow in their DEI journeys
- Examining all our member programs and processes for bias and inequity
- Establishing an internship training program specifically for college students of color
- Shifting our hiring practices to eliminate bias
- Creating a new anti-racist action plan that defines concrete steps and outcomes in support of our DEIA goals
Operational Policies
EdTA complies with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, and all other related federal, state, and local employment laws. EdTA does not discriminate based on age, disability, national origin, race, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation in regard to any term, condition, employment, program, event, or service.
No one participating in an EdTA event or activity may be harassed or discriminated against based on any protected characters. Individuals found in violation of this policy may be dismissed from activities or other participation.
