Circle X Theatre Co. Statement of Values:
We at Circle X Theatre Co. take ownership of our past failures to be inclusive and actively anti-racist. We are committed to taking active and measurable steps to build a more inclusive and equitable community. Circle X Theatre Co. believes that the rich and varied identities which make up our city and greater creative community make our work, as well as our company, more vibrant and more relevant.
The following is a working document:
Policy:
Circle X Theatre Co. is devoted to being an inclusive and equitable community of artists who value creativity, diversity of perspectives, and access for all. We strive to tell the stories that change the very potential of theatre and to cultivate, nurture and encourage voices who have yet to be heard. We are passionate about serving the playwright and championing the work that takes us and audiences on emotional, provocative and visceral artistic journeys. Our mission is to celebrate highly theatrical language and design elements that create a wholly new experience. We are committed to providing an anti-racist and non-discriminatory workplace. We value equity for all, regardless of gender identity, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, education or ability.
Circle X Theatre Co. has established the following goals in pursuit of becoming an institution that reflects the rich and varied identities which make up our city and greater creative community
Hiring Practices
Effective immediately, we will give hiring preference to artists from historically marginalized communities when all else is equal.
Board Initiatives
We endeavor to have the composition of our Board better reflect the demographics of the greater Los Angeles area and creative community.
By 2021: 20% BIPOC participants
By 2021: 20% LQBTQIA participants
By 2022: 35% BIPOC participants
By 2022: 35% LQBTQIA participants
By 2025: 50% BIPOC participants
By 2025: 50% LQBTQIA participants
Maintain at least 50% female-identifying, gender-nonconforming, or non-cisgender participants
Programming
Effective immediately, we commit to the following programming goals:
1. 50% of all public readings, workshops, and full productions will be dedicated to the work of BIPOC artists. Alternating years will be an acceptable metric of accountability should a season only include one production.
2. 50% of all public readings, workshops, and full productions will be dedicated to the work of LQBTQIA artists. Alternating years will be an acceptable metric of accountability should a season only include one production.
3. 50% of all public readings, workshops, and full productions will be dedicated to the work of female-identifying, gender-nonconforming, or non-cisgender artists. Alternating years will be an acceptable metric of accountability should a season only include one production.
4. One stipend-paid internship per production. The intern position should be filled by an applicant from a traditionally marginalized community.
5. Hire at least 50% BIPOC individuals for behind-the-scenes creative teams (e.g., designers, crew, directors, etc.)
6. Hire at least 50% LQBTQIA for behind-the-scenes creative teams (e.g., designers, crew, directors, etc.)
7. Hire at least 50% female-identifying, gender-nonconforming, or non-cisgender individuals for behind-the-scenes creative teams (e.g., designers, crew, directors, etc.)
8. Upgrade facilities to ensure accessibility in the form of ramps and/or wheelchair access at all times for productions.
9. Pursue funding to support accessibility resources for hearing and visually impaired (e.g., ASL interpreter and/or headphones).
Engagement with Community and Audience
Effective immediately, we will incorporate the following actions:
1. Honor native land by incorporating a Land Acknowledgement Statement in the Circle X Theatre Co., website, playbills, and Atwater Theatre Village Theatre (AVT) physical space.
2. Increase audience accessibility of Circle X Theatre Co. performances by building temporary wheelchair ramp(s) at venue when necessary and by including an ASL interpreter (or equivalent resource) for at least once performance for each full production.
3. Eliminate traditional 10 out of 12 technical rehearsals and replace it with a longer technical schedule prior to opening a new production.
4. Offer discounted ticket price for residents of Atwater Village in the first two weeks of any full production.
5. Offer Pay-What-You-Can tickets for every full production.
Ongoing Institutional Growth
We aim to incorporate the following goals in Circle X Theatre Company’s continued growth towards a more equitable company:
1. Provide Diversity Sensitivity Training to Board and Staff (to include Core Staff and Production Volunteers).
2. Establish a Circle X Theatre Co. Representative to be responsible for identifying and addressing EDI issues and strategies.
3. By 2021, 50% of Core Staff will be comprised of BIPOC individuals.
4. By 2021, 50% of Core Staff will be comprised of LQBTQIA individuals.
5. Maintain 50% of Core Staff this is comprised of female-identifying, gender-nonconforming, or non-cisgender individuals.
Accountability
In addition to the accountability metrics included with several of the above action items we aim to include the following Circle X Theatre Company’s ongoing commitment to defined meaningful action:
1. Devote one staff meeting every quarter to the evaluation and discussion of Circle X Theatre Company’s progress in meeting the above-named initiatives.
As Circle X Theatre Co. takes its next steps, we will share additional actions as they are planned. We look forward to sharing our progress with the community.
Land Acknowledgement:
Circle X Theatre Co. is currently located at Atwater Village Theatre which stands on the traditional territories of the Tongva, Chumash, and Kizh people, who stewarded this land for generations. We respectfully offer this acknowledgement as a commitment to beginning the process of dismantling the ongoing legacies of colonialism. We invite you to consider the land on which you live and the legacies which have converged to bring you to the place you stand today.