Stage West Theatre

Equity Statement

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Stage West’s longstanding mission to entertain, inspire, and challenge through great live theatre was established to create and strengthen connections throughout the diverse community that is North Texas. This mission is accomplished through careful selection of plays and other programming that not only reflect our ever-evolving human condition, but also promote the exploration of new perspectives and ideas. We welcome all people.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

A Place for Everyone.

Theatre and the arts in general belong to everyone. At Stage West, our goal is to create a warm and welcoming environment for everyone. All productions are presented with high caliber artistry and reflect our collective values and desire to laugh, learn, and grow. Our programming is a careful balance of pushing boundaries by introducing ideas and new perspectives, and relaxation through fun, escapist entertainment. We love telling great stories, but more than that, we love telling a wide variety of great stories. Stage West is a leader among regional theatres across the nation working to bring positive growth, understanding, and betterment to society. Through it all, our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion is always present whether it be in the selection of plays, hiring of artists, or educational offerings, to name a few. As we continue to grow, we use the following definitions as guides:

DIVERSITY: acknowledgement and open arms for all, regardless of ethnicity, race, color, country of origin, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual or relationship orientation, family structure, religion, beliefs, political affiliations, experiences and ability differences. We are all human, and we are stronger when we bring all points of view and experiences to the table in a positive and forward-thinking manner.

EQUITY: understanding that each persons’ origins are vastly different and can include numerous inequities with regard to access and opportunity. True equity is tearing down barriers and working towards full and equal access for all, no matter where the starting point for any individual.

INCLUSION: the practice of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for community members who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or mental disabilities and members of other groups often referred to as minority.

At Stage West, we recognize that the process of becoming a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive institution is an ongoing process that we are honored to participate in. We value individual differences. We acknowledge systematic failures and missteps that have led to barriers to access. We fully commit to continuing education for our staff and stake-holders while also providing opportunities for the whole community to participate in furthering our human condition to be one of love, and love, and love for all.

Land Acknowledgement.

We at Stage West recognize and acknowledge that our organization sits on Jumanos Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Numunuu (Comanche), Tawakoni, and Wichita land. These indigenous peoples’ lands were systematically stolen from them by our country’s colonizers. We unequivocally lift up the memory of these people, and will not sugar-coat what happened: it was genocide. Indigenous people, though vastly smaller in number, are still here contributing to the well-being and fabric of our community. The history of our nation’s egregious acts must be remembered alongside the triumphs. This is not to punish or shame those who came before, but as a means of understanding what happens when one group of humans believes their privilege, status, or access makes them better than or more deserving than another. When we learn, our minds expand. When we expand our knowledge, our community is strengthened. It can thrive and move forward.