Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility
Progress becomes possible when ideas transform to action. At Chicago Shakespeare Theater, we are dedicating ourselves toward positive change to help build a stronger, more resilient tomorrow.
We believe in the vital importance of the work needed to advance the principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) throughout our organization, our programming, and our audience experience. To realize our goals, we have identified six areas of focus—each with corresponding actionable objectives. Guided by our mission and core values, this framework has been informed by thoughtful, collaborative processes at every level of the organization. Reflecting our commitment to transparency and openness, this platform is designed to be a dynamic and evolving resource where we will share our process and progress.
Our Commitment
As theater-makers, we are charged with engaging honestly and deeply in conversations about our humanity, and our inhumanity. At Chicago Shakespeare Theater, we aim to create and cultivate courageous spaces that advance dialogue around the principles of IDEA. We strive to be an organization that embraces diversity in all its forms, prioritizes radical inclusion, provides equitable opportunities for growth and success to all, and offers an accessible experience with which to engage in our work.
We are deeply committed to welcoming artists, audience members, and staff of broadly diverse and intersectional identities, including (but not limited to) race, ethnicity, gender, ability, faith/belief tradition, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, age, socio-economic background, and nationality. Acknowledging the entrenched structural inequities around race in the American theater, we are especially focused on addressing equity and inclusion for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals within our IDEA efforts.
Areas of Focus
To realize our organizational goal of creating a more diverse and inclusive theater, we have identified six areas of focus. Within those, we have outlined objectives to drive and shape our ongoing work.
Get In Touch
The role of dialogue is fundamental in our ongoing work to advance inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Questions or comments can be shared at [email protected].