Racism has no role to play on stage, back stage or off stage in any school, community or nation.  The Educational Theatre Association, the International Thespian Society, and the Educational Theatre Foundation speak out with communities of color against hate and prejudice wherever it appears.   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.  Please go here to learn more about the steps we are taking.

Where to begin? Get informed.

A wonderful starting point can be found on the website of the National Art Education Association,  "Black Lives Matter; An Open Letter to Art Educators on Constructing an Anti-Racist Agenda".  This powerful piece is written by Dr. James Haywood Rolling, Jr., Professor of Arts Education at Syracuse University and President-Elect of the National Art Education Association.  Another important work is the Asian American Performer's Action Coalition's study "The Visibility Report - Racial Representation on NYC Stages".  For an informative look at anti-racist theatre practices read "We See You White American Theatre" by The Ground We Stand On coalition.  Another highly recommended resource is the National Museum of African-American History and Culture’s Talking About Race.  And finally, don't miss this article "Celebrating Diversity is Not Enough" by Susan Santone. 

For more resources - this list of links originally published by the Arts Education Partnership offers a great beginning:

• Ibram X. Kendi: How to build an antiracist world
• Let's get to the root of racial injustice | Megan Ming Francis | TEDxRainier
• Keynote Address with Shawn Ginwright, Phd: Discusses the role arts educators need to play in the post-COVID-19 world to support reconnection and healing after this time of uncertainty and isolation.
• Putting Racism on the Table video series by the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers
• What is Systemic Racism? Video Series by Race Forward
• Webinar on Abolitionist Teaching in a Global Pandemic featuring Bettina Love
• Cook Ross (DEI Consulting agency) Webinars

Finally, if you are looking for ways to learn more, don't miss the excellent series of DEI webinars right here on TE Pro.  Then consider starting the conversation with your students by exploring Theatre for Social Justice.  Please continue to watch this space as we add links to our Culturally Inclusive Teaching, Social Justice and DEI webinars, an important addition to your professional learning. 

Looking for plays or other resources to add to your curriculum?  Here are some links to help you get started; watch for a more complete list coming soon. 

Black Work Broadway tracking plays by people of color on Broadway.  Open Source Scripts Toward an Anti-racist Tomorrow by Idris Goodwin.  Free for production as long as no admittance fee is charged. The Diversity Production Pro Project Vocational training in the trades and skills required for careers in the Artists, Crafts, and Technicians departments of the entertainment industry in alignment with Assembly Bill 1664 Bocanegra/Calderon Film and Television Workforce Development Program. 

BIPOC Playwrights  https://tdps.berkeley.edu/bipoc-playwrights

Alternate Canon  - curated crowd sourced list of plays from diverse cultures https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HwAHAwU83bW_jSzxbMrqWyyuAYmsOWtqK-7HxKA9yek/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwAR3u2Fp7e_JuAvGHnqjdjlivBxtfqqUIf11W_RKu4hpQXRwSj6-YXdxO1mM#id.b12d9qm89kyv

And more....

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