Patron Code of Conduct:
COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
Background
Theatre often brings productive discomfort to the surface. TheatreSquared is committed to grappling with that discomfort, on and off the stage, and we invite members of our community to participate in that growth process with us. Our goal is to co-create safety for our community by identifying and interrupting instances of racism and all forms of oppression when we witness them, through specific actions rooted in the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA).
These guidelines seek to define ways we will undertake this work, including how we intend to hold our community and its individual members accountable. These guidelines specifically address interpersonal relationships and exchanges — not necessarily the content of the art that TheatreSquared produces — although we strive to uphold these values of IDEA in the work we create as well. As an arts organization, we may produce work that depicts racism or oppression; we endeavor to always do so responsibly, and we always invite conversation about that work.
Please note that TheatreSquared has an anti-harassment policy in place. This document supplements and does not replace that policy.
Our Mission
We believe that theatre—done well and with passion—can transform lives and communities.
At the theatre, in schools and online, we create remarkable performances; broaden access; foster empathy, equity and cohesion; and gather with one another around art, conversation, food and other shared experiences in a welcoming, inclusive space.
Our Commitment to Anti-Racism
TheatreSquared commits to being an anti-racist institution. We practice anti-racism through our work and in our workplace. The company invites its staff, artists, and audience to help hold ourselves accountable to these commitments by “calling in” our actions and each other with love, conversation, compassion and context—and with a clear expectation for change.
Acts of racism and oppression can take many forms, including but not limited to:
The use of slurs when referring to a person of an equity-seeking group
Microaggressions against an individual of an equity-seeking group
Invasive and inappropriate questions, comments, and touching
Refusal to serve or receive service because of an individual’s membership in an equity-seeking group
Any threatening behavior, including speech, that puts our community members at emotional and/or physical risk
We actively encourage consensual conversations about race, privilege, power, and oppression, and believe that centering inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) in our work and our space will lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves, of our community, and of the theater. TheatreSquared recognizes that every individual carries a different body of knowledge related to anti-racist practices and the promotion of IDEA. The foundation of this work is self-education and the un-learning of oppressive behaviors.
I: Our Commitment to True Hospitality
For an audience member’s experience of live theatre to be truly immersive—and, at times, transformative—it is crucial that they feel welcome in our space. TheatreSquared commits to a culture of true hospitality. We will make every effort to ensure that all who walk through our doors feel as though they, too, belong in this artistic home.
True hospitality means you can expect a friendly greeting, that your needs will be anticipated as our guests, that we’ll go the extra mile to help, and that we’ll stop by to say “hello!” and ask, “how’s your experience at the theatre?” It also means that we must work together to make sure that every member of our community shares in that spirit of welcome. We will work to eliminate barriers of cost, perception, accessibility, time, and other obstacles to participation so that everyone can enjoy the hospitality of this space.
Hospitality does not extend to ignoring or permitting acts of aggression, harassment, or racism. As part of TheatreSquared’s commitment to acknowledging and dismantling systems of oppression, we strive to interrupt and prevent these acts to the best of our ability and ask for your help in doing so.
II: The Commitment we ask of our Community
By entering TheatreSquared facilities — as an employee, board member, patron, artistic collaborator, client, vendor, donor, volunteer, or other visitor — or by participating in an off-site company event or meeting, you become a member of our community. As a community member, we ask that you uphold these values, that you actively and intentionally avoid participating in behaviors that harm equity-seeking groups, and that you be open to dialogue and learning should an issue arise.
We believe the burden of dismantling systemic racism and addressing and interrupting oppression is predominantly the responsibility of those who are least impacted by oppression (e.g., those with identities in common with the relevant dominant cultures).
Community members are expected to act on our commitment with the following guidelines:
When an incident occurs, community members not heavily impacted by the incident will check in with those impacted by the incident and work together to determine the best way to proceed. This may include interrupting the action, educating the offender, and/or documenting the incident. In most cases, the best practice is to engage a staff member before intervening in the incident.
Intent does not equal impact. If you have been asked to stop or change a behavior, please understand that your actions may have caused harm that you didn’t intend. If someone identifies and seeks to correct, for example, a comment that may be rooted in racial privilege, they do so without implying that anyone is racist or even that harm was intended. They’re simply addressing the action itself.
We will acknowledge that the impact of our actions is always the most important consideration, but we will make space for intentions when appropriate. Physical safety will always be an immediate priority.
We will seek to preserve relationships unless:
to do so would further inflict harm on individuals and groups most impacted by oppression, and
the community member(s) who engaged in harmful behavior will not commit to meaningful and appropriate follow-up to the incident.
When members of TheatreSquared management witness or are made aware of an interruption, they will seek to learn about the incident, support those most impacted by the incident, and support any community member who chose to interrupt.
Community members, including management, shall not retaliate against nor seek to discipline other community members for acting in good faith to uphold these community standards.
All reported instances of racism and oppression will be documented and followed up with in an appropriate* manner and in a timely fashion by Human Resources or the IDEA Team. (See link to Incident Report below.)
III: Accountability and Growth
TheatreSquared acknowledges that the work to dismantle systemic racism and oppression is an ongoing process, in which growth is continual and never complete. Within our community, we seek to continue this work in perpetuity and are dedicated to reviewing and revising our approach, which may include seeking guidance from outside facilitators. We commit to transparency in decision-making while protecting confidentiality as needed.
TheatreSquared’s Diversity Champions, a cohort of trained facilitators from throughout the organization, will review this document no less than annually, and will provide a direct method of communication for members of our community who wish to share their thoughts/feedback. To honor our commitments to transparency and accessibility, this living document will be available at theatre2.org.
Conclusion
Theater pushes us out of our comfort zones, and can be used to start big conversations and effect big changes. Our work as people and community members in the fight for equity is just as important, and can be just as powerful, as the art we choose to make and support. Theatre, and specifically TheatreSquared, is a place for growth, questions, productive discomfort, and community engagement. We strive to do this work responsibly.
Join us.
Acknowledgment
TheatreSquared’s patron conduct policy builds on the excellent work of peer institutions from across the nation, including as a direct source the policies of Portland Center Stage. We also benefited from the ongoing guidance of the IDEALS Institute at the University of Arkansas. We are grateful to the individuals and groups who have lent their efforts to creating this language.