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Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility

ACT has gathered resources from across disciplines to help our members and our theatre community to find best practices for framing their ongoing work through a diversity, equity and inclusion lens.

Theatre Resources

We See You, White American Theatre

Diversity Toolkit: A Guide to Discussing Identity, Power and Privilege
USC’s online Master of Social Work program

Anti-Racist Theatre from HowlRound Theatre Commons

Actor’s Equity Diversity Report 2021 (covering 2016-2019 data)

artEquity Resources
Including How to Launch an EDI Initiative, resources for BIPOC artists in primarily white institutions, reading lists, and more.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: American Theatre

LORT Resources for Racial Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
An EDI resource list curated by LORT theatres.

Cultural Equity Resources – Americans for the Arts

WATCH: Racism & Racial Equity in the Entertainment Industry
A panel from Educational Theatre Association during the 2020 Virtual International Thespian Festival

Black Acting Methods Studio

ADDITIONAL READING

Four Black Artists on How Racism Corrodes the Theater World– New York Times

Building Trust After Inclusivity Failed: Lessons for the Theater– Vulture

K-12 Teaching Resources

Educational Theatre Association DEI Resources 

Southern Poverty Law Center’s Learning for Justice 

Momentum Stage: Equitable Performing Arts Resources for Drama and Dance Teachers

BIPOC Classroom Resources: TheatreFolk

FREE PLAY: Open Source Scripts Toward an Antiracist Tomorrow

Common Sense Media’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Resources for Classrooms 

ADDITIONAL READING

One Way to Stop Whitewashing: It’s Got to Be Taught (American Theatre)

Conversations From The Classroom: Teaching Theatre Students About Access, Equity, And Inclusion (Centre Theatre Group)

Casting Resources

Best Practices for Inclusive Casting
A comprehensive article with recommendations for inclusive casting practices.

Community Engagement Resources

TCG’s Audience (R)Evolution Research & Resources Hub

Community Engagement from HowlRound Theatre Commons

Audience Engagement from HowlRound Theatre Commons

REPORT The Paradigm Shifting Power of Audience Building/Community Engagement (The Doris Duke Foundation)

Training Resources

LinkedIn Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging for All training series

UCLA Equity, Diversity & Inclusion bias video series

Stanford University VMware Women’s Leadership Innovation Lab See Bias | Block Bias toolkit

Black Theatre Resources

Black Theatre Network

Broadway Black

ArtEquity BIPOC Programs

Accessibility: Publications, Checklists, & Resources

The Future of Theatre is Accessible: Howlround Theatre Commons

All the World’s a State: Accessibility and Theatrical Spaces: RightsViews

A Nearly Comprehensive Guide to Creating an Accessible Theatre

Design for Accessibility: A Cultural Administrator’s Handbook

Accessibility Planning and Resource Guide for Cultural Administrators

Section 504 Self-Evaluation Workbook

Brief Accessibility Checklist

Federal Communications Commission Section 504 Programs & Activities Accessibility Handbook

Tip Sheet on the 2010 Revised Regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Accessibility Program Resources
The Kennedy Center’s Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability offers a large selection of publications, guides, and other resources dealing with a wide variety of subject matter in arts, education, and disabilities.

Web Accessibility Resources

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) develops strategies, guidelines, and resources to help make the Web accessible to people with disabilities.

WebAIM Website Accessibility 

Webaim WAVE Accessibility Tool 
Assess your website with the WAVE Accessibility Tool

Playwright – Festivals and Resources

Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights – Barter Theatre

Southern Writers Festival of New Plays – Alabama Shakespeare Festival

Playwright Fe4stival of original works by Black and Indigenous People of Color – Matthews Playhouse and African American Playwrights Group

Top BIOPOC Plays You Can’t Miss: Dramatics

Alternative Canon | Non-Western plays, plays by people of color, by women and by queer writers from before 1945.

#BIPOCSwap | A growing list of plays, musicals, and acting method readings by BIPOC, the American theatre canon; based on similar themes and/or adaptations. A resource for theatre educators.

Mixed Blood Theatre’s Disability Visibility Project: Howlround Theatre Commons

List of PIPOC Plays & Creatives: Loyola Marymount University

IDEA Statement

The Alabama Conference of Theatre (ACT) is committed to modeling inclusion,diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) for the theatrical communities of Alabama as well as the nation. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages, strive toward equitable treatment of our members, and support members who nurture diversity and equity in their places of work and in their broader communities. We challenge ourselves to question assumptions, expand knowledge, and implement plans to foster a more inclusive entertainment industry. ACT is committed to partnering with organizations, businesses, and individuals that share our dedication to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.

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