Washington Ensemble Theatre and its Board of Directors is engaged in an on-going process to center its policies around Justice, Equity, Diversity, Accessibility, and Inclusion. Our mission is to dismantle the traditional theater-making system and forge a producing model that meets our values and centers our artists and our community. We want to tell the various truths that exist within our community that do not prioritize the narrative of the historically privileged. We aim to create disruptive work that combats oppression, seeks understanding, and highlights diverse perspectives, experiences and communities. Our collective recognizes diversity in all its forms, including ability, age, education, economic status, gender, and race. We are committed to decision-making that keeps this lens at the forefront and intend to expand our knowledge and practice through the coming years.
We’ve identified the following key areas of focus for the next 5 years:
- Examine and improve pay structure for Ensemble members, guest artists, and technicians to create more equitable, sustainable, and appropriate compensation.
- Be mindful and intentional with play selection with an eye towards showcasing a diverse array of playwrights, characters, themes, and artists.
- Increase diversity of Ensemble and Board of Directors. Strive to have our demographics match those of King County, Washington.
- Increase efforts to train and develop artists, supporting learning and growth opportunities for emerging artists with a focus on BIPOC individuals.
Below is a timeline of our efforts, actions, and initiatives centered on this work. This is a living document. We will update this information yearly, and invite past ensemble members and artists to help us make this more accurate. Reach out if you have something to add!