Enhancing Diversity in Theatre Programs: A Guide for Educators and Directors
Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!
Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed. In this week's email, we look at ways to enhance diversity in your theatre program. Plus, we catch you up on the week's most important theatre news and stories.
Don’t forget to check out the video below to discover The Scene Premium!
‘Appropriate’ will get a commercial transfer to Broadway’s Belasco Theatre by Andy Lefkowitz, Broadway News | The extended run is set to begin performances on March 25. Read...
‘Purlie Victorious’ will be featured on PBS’ ‘Great Performances’ by Michael Abourizk, Broadway News | The “Broadway’s Best” lineup also features Tony Award winners Audra McDonald, Rita Moreno and Aaron Tveit, Tony nominee Ato Blankson-Wood and more. Read...
‘Six’ Creators Announce Their Second Act by Alex Marshall, The New York Times | Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow spent years working out how to follow their hit musical about Henry VIII’s wives. “Why Am I So Single?” is their answer. Read...
Marc Summers Is Still Up for a Double Dare. (Hold the Green Slime.) by Dave Itzkoff, The New York Times | “I made Nickelodeon,” the former “Double Dare” host said. Now he’s telling all in his Off-Broadway show “The Life & Slimes of Marc Summers.” Read...
A family of creatives turned their TikTok-famous videos into a stage performance by Scott Simon, NPR | NPR's Scott Simon talks with Mandy Patinkin, Kathryn Grody, and Gideon Grody-Patinkin about the family stage "performance" in which Gideon talks with his performer parents about their lives. Read & Listen...
When the Voice You Hear Is Not the Actor You See by Michael Paulson, The New York Times | The playwright Lucas Hnath has been making magic with the sound of speech. Now he’s directing a play by Mona Pirnot, his wife, in which a computer speaks her words. Read...
Shubert Organization’s summer internship will return for Summer 2024 by Michael Abourizk, Broadway News | The program focuses on non-performance careers in the Broadway industry. Read...
Shakespeare to Hit the Road While Central Park Theater Is Closed by Michael Paulson, The New York Times | The Delacorte is being renovated, so this summer will instead bring a mobile production and then a filmed play to outdoor sites in the city’s five boroughs. Read...
The Big Idea
Enhancing Diversity in Theatre Programs: A Guide for Educators and Directors
by Zach Dulli, The Scene
In the world of theatre, diversity is not just a buzzword; it's the essence of storytelling. The theatre is a human experience, and humanity is diverse. It brings varied perspectives, enriches narratives, and connects with a broader audience. Achieving diversity in theatre programs, especially in educational settings, requires intentional strategies and a commitment to inclusion. Here’s a guide for educators and directors on how to embrace a more diverse and inclusive theatre program.
Conduct an Honest Assessment
Begin with an honest evaluation of your current program. Who is being represented on stage, and whose stories are being told? Who is missing? Consider not only ethnic and racial diversity but also gender, sexual orientation, disability, and socioeconomic status. This assessment can help identify areas for growth and set a benchmark for progress.
Revise Your Curriculum
Incorporate plays and musicals that reflect a variety of cultures, experiences, and perspectives. This doesn't mean you should only select works written by or about underrepresented groups; it means balancing the classics with contemporary works that speak to a diverse society. Additionally, educating students on the history of diverse theatre movements can inspire and inform their practice.
Outreach and Recruitment
Expanding your outreach efforts can attract students from various backgrounds. Consider partnering with community organizations, schools, and social groups that work with underrepresented populations. Offer workshops or free performances to introduce theatre to a wider audience. In recruitment, emphasize the importance of diversity in your materials and messages, showing that all are welcome and valued.
Foster an Inclusive Environment
Creating a welcoming environment where all students feel safe and valued is crucial. This includes establishing clear policies against discrimination and harassment, facilitating open discussions about diversity and inclusion, and encouraging students to share their experiences and perspectives. Such an environment not only nurtures diversity but also creativity and empathy.
Provide Mentorship and Support
Mentorship can play a pivotal role in supporting students from underrepresented groups. Pairing students with mentors who share similar backgrounds or experiences can offer guidance, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. Additionally, providing scholarships or financial assistance can help remove barriers to participation for students from low-income families.
Encourage Diverse Casting
Practice inclusive casting by selecting actors based on their talent and suitability for the role rather than their physical appearance unless specific characteristics are essential to the part. Avoid typecasting and give all students the opportunity to explore a range of characters and stories.
Engage in Continuous Learning
Stay informed about best practices for diversity and inclusion in theatre education. Attend workshops, join professional organizations, and engage in conversations with colleagues about creating more inclusive programs. Diversity is a dynamic concept, and strategies for inclusion can evolve over time.
Measure Progress and Adapt
Regularly review your program’s diversity goals and assess progress. Solicit feedback from students, staff, and the community to understand the impact of your efforts and identify areas for improvement. Be willing to adapt your strategies to meet the changing needs of your community and the broader societal context.
Enhancing diversity in theatre programs is an ongoing journey that enriches the educational experience for all students and fosters a more inclusive and empathetic society. By taking intentional steps and committing to continuous improvement, educators and directors can create a theatre program that truly reflects the diversity of the human experience. Let's embrace this challenge with open hearts and minds, recognizing that the beauty of theatre lies in its power to tell every story.
Sonia Friedman: Leadership changes are a chance for an industry-wide shake-up by Matthew Hemley, The Stage | Sonia Friedman has hailed the “giant sea change” the industry finds itself in as a chance for the new leaders of various theatres to “shake the whole thing up.” Read...
The 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards: full list of winners by Tom Millward, WhatsOnStage | The 2024 victors have been crowned! Read...
Jeremy O. Harris Is Bringing His History-Making ‘Slave Play’ to the West End by Hayley Maitland, Vogue | Anyone who rolls their eyes at the mention of the term “multi-hyphenate” would do well to acquaint themselves with the work of Jeremy O. Harris. This is a man who, at the age of 34, has a list of accomplishments so long I almost need to resort to bullet points to list them all. Read...
‘SIX,’ ‘Hamilton,’ ‘Wicked’ and more coming to 2024-’25 Broadway in Portland season by Lizzy Acker, The Oregonian | The 2024-’25 season kicks off with a new adaptation by playwright Larissa FastHorse of ‘Peter Pan,’ which will run from Tuesday, Aug. 27, to Sunday, Sept. 1. Read...
Milwaukee Rep Announces ‘Prelude To A Kiss The Musical’ World Premiere and More for 2024/25 Season by A.A. Cristi, Broadway World | Season to also include world premieres of ‘Women of Rock’ and ‘The Craic,’ ‘The Last 5 Years,’ ‘Jersey Boys,’ and more. Read...
'Some Like It Hot,' 'Back to the Future,' 'Kimberly Akimbo' and More Announced for Next BroadwaySF Season by Jay Barmann, SFist | The big news from the announcement is that several big Broadway productions, and some smaller, acclaimed musicals of last season, will all be part of the lineup coming to San Francisco this fall, and next winter and spring. Read...
Read entire plays for free! Free Reads titles are perfect for your theatre, school, and competition performances. Click on the Play’s title or image to be taken to the Play’s page; once you are there, click the "READ NOW" button and enjoy!
Free Read of the Week:
Dead and Breathing by Chisa Hutchinson
The Story: Cranky old Carolyn Whitlock has been in hospice for far too long and just wants to die already. But she'll have to work harder than she ever has in her privileged life to convince her oversharing and very Christian nurse to help her end it. Through surprising humor and persistent questioning, Dead and Breathing investigates morality, mortality, and the intense tug-of-war between the right to die with dignity and the idea of life as a gift.
Drama | 80 - 95 minutes | 1 W, 1 Performer who identifies as trans | Content Notes: Adult language and content. | Set: Unit set: a master suite (bedroom and bathroom) complete with bed, nightstand, chair, tub, toilet, and sink.