Silicon Valley’s community is one built on innovation and a beautiful mosaic of people from all walks of life and cultures around the world. Silicon Valley Shakespeare deeply values this diversity and commits to:
- Producing work that celebrates and reflects the world around us
- Leading with anti-racist practices, confronting racist systems and implicit biases, and prohibiting discrimination of any kind
- Removing arts and cultural gatekeeping practices
- Cultivating a safe space for audiences and artists alike, that honors and mirrors our community in regards to:
o Race
o Ethnicity
o Culture
o Age
o Gender identities
o Body diversity
o Sexual orientation
o Neurodiversity
o Disabilities
o Religion
As part of our mission, Silicon Valley Shakespeare is actively working to foster diversity and inclusion through the following programming, policies, and principles:
Innovate: SVS innovates the classics through inclusive casting, concepts, and retellings that reflect the modern world and all its people.
Illuminate: Shed light on the classics through diverse perspectives to cultivate a space for learning that encourages growth in audiences of all ages.
Inspire: Spark the empathy and compassion that live in all of us, by examining the human condition, connecting us to one another, and making theatre experiences accessible to all.
Our Action Plan
Our Commitment to Proactive Diversification and Inclusion: OF + BY = FOR ALL
OF the people
Cultivate partnerships with local organizations who represent marginalized groups
• Collaborate with artists and artistic organizations that currently serve underrepresented communities
• Elevate and amplify groups focused on social justice work
• Feature guest speakers of marginalized groups at educational events and pre-show presentations
BY the people
Inclusive hiring practices across the entire organization, from production staff to business needs to board members
• Additionally, produce at least one production each season that highlights underrepresented artists and voices. (Examples: culturally expansive production concepts, a biennial all-female-identifying production, under-told narratives)
• Creation and development of Community Connections, an entirely new program dedicated to performances, writings, and experiences of marginalized groups
• Stewardship of emerging actors, designers, and technicians in high school and college, with a comprehensive, hands-on internship program
FOR ALL
Dedicated outreach to diverse populations through community inclusion, partnerships, and involvement
• One entirely free mainstage production each year, accessible by public transportation
• Kids 17 and under always free at mainstage productions
• Minimum of three free ShakesBEERience productions each year, open to the public in a central location accessible by public transportation
• Affordable programming, including o Accessibly priced tickets for core programs, combinable with additional discounts (college/educator, military/government personnel, senior) o In-school workshops o Summer camp with generous scholarship opportunities
• Actively improve access for patrons of varying abilities and disabilities
• Develop a process for staff and artists to address issues of discrimination and harassment, and foster a safe and caring workspace