At Cygnet Theatre, We Believe…

EDI Statement

Cygnet Theatre’s mission is based upon creating conversations among our diverse artistic communities and audiences. It’s about creating theatre that helps us all hear and understand each other better and inspire empathy. We acknowledge that theatre culture locally and nationally has practiced racist and discriminatory behaviors that have resulted in the exclusion and mistreatment of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists. Although Cygnet Theatre has always strived to be inclusive, we acknowledge more can and must be done. We re-commit to the data-driven self-evaluation of our work environment internally and externally through our programming, administration, marketing, philanthropy, and overall institutional practices to identify and implement equity and inclusion throughout our organization, both onstage and off.

We welcome this opportunity to identify and implement positive changes that can be made and affirm our responsibility as an organization that serves the public good to feed and inspire a more equitable society.

We have a lot of work to do. We will do better. To start, we will create visible and meaningful accountability measures to ensure the success of our work.

Mission Statement:

Believing in the power of theatre to startle the soul, ignite debate and embrace the diversity of the community in which it serves, Cygnet Theatre Company is fearlessly committed to the dissection, examination and celebration of the human story through the medium of live theatre.

WE COMMIT:

• To being UPstanders, rather than bystanders, as we actively disrupt inequity, systemic racism, and other forms of oppression in our community.
• To update our mission statement and core values statements to include our commitment to anti-oppression and anti-racism.
• To continue to invest in our staff and board members through regular EDI training and conversations.
• To recognize that theatre is the art form of democracy. Therefore, we will intentionally create policies and practices to increase the access BIPOC and other underrepresented staff, artists pool, and board of trustees have for advancement, promotions, and the ability to contribute their ideas and talents to the organization.
• To the just and equitable disbursement of resources for all employees including non-unionized artists that work for our company.
• To create the conditions for safety. Our task is to create and nurture spaces where safety is prioritized so that we can make the best art we are capable of. This includes hiring cultural consultants when relevant and appropriate to serve in the rehearsal room for communities of color, racially and ethnically diverse individuals, tribal communities, immigrant and refugee communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, and communities that have principal languages other than English. These practices will expand beyond the rehearsal room to include our staff, administration, board, and audiences.

WE BELIEVE IN:

• Community: We believe that artists, community partners, administration, staff, and board members with differing backgrounds and life experiences enhance our ability to succeed and create a richer experience for all.
• Balance: We believe that maintaining balance in our work and personal lives is crucial. Balance allows for the inspiration to create. It also contributes to a joyous work environment where team members can learn from one another and build meaningful personal connections.
• Diversity: We believe that diversity reflects a broad range of voices, points-of-view, histories, perspectives, and experiences. We recognize that some voices have been intentionally and systematically excluded and that society as a whole can grow when these voices are heard and included.
• Empathy: We believe that theatre is a place where art can be created, where one can explore what it is to be human and in turn foster a shared culture of empathy and understanding. Theatre is by its nature a unique art form that celebrates what it is to be alive and therefore must be created in a nurturing, inclusive, and supportive environment.

WE HAVE:

• Engaged in ongoing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging training for all of our staff with (R)EVOLVE Consulting beginning in July of 2021.
• Committed to a 5-day rehearsal week and 8-hour tech rehearsals to reflect our belief in balance.
• Increased BIPOC representation at all levels of the institution: actors, playwrights, staff, and board members.
• Hired an Education, Outreach and Inclusion manager.
• Posted our Land Acknowledgement in our theatre as well as a printed version in our programs recognizing that our theatre rests on occupied Kumeyaay territory.
• Intentionally worked to use and recognize pronouns.
• Implemented a practice of inclusive and color conscious casting for all productions.
• Created practices to ensure gender parity in hiring practices.
• Ensured that the majority of new play commissions are written by artists in the global majority.