What Can an EDI Consultant

Do for a Play?



By: Jacquinn Sinclair, American Theatre Association

Introduction by: Samuel Carrington, ITA DEIC Director

When Michaela Antonia Jaé Rodriguez played Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors at Pasadena Playhouse, my world was rocked. Not only did her Audrey have a depth I'd never encountered through years of adoring the show, but there was something deeply profound about a trans woman belting "learn how to be more the girl that's inside me" in a romantic ballad.

As a trans man, I care deeply about telling stories that are meaningful to people who feel trapped, broken, or alone. I want people to feel seen, reflected, and honored by the portrayal of characters which look like, act like, or think like them - and I want to create curiosity and empathy for people who don't recognize themselves. And I am especially committed that those who identify with historically marginalized groups see themselves more and more, because that means that the stories we are telling are rich with perspective and history - it also means that new audiences will find themselves in love with this art form, which has the power to transform and inspire.

While the focus of this article is on the value of an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion consultant within organizations and for specific productions, my takeaway was much more than "we need to hire consultants".

The opportunity offered in this article is for theatre artists to approach the stories we tell with honor and integrity - whether it's a brand new script or one that's been played for years, creating inclusive theatre experiences means creating safe spaces for cast, crew, and audiences to explore our humanity, see one another, and be seen in new ways.

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Artist and entrepreneur Kira Troilo leads with empathy and heart.

She has employed both attributes in her work with Boston’s SpeakEasy Stage Company, which recently staged three plays with intricate narratives centering on characters of color: Sanaz Toossi‘s English, Hansol Jung‘s Wild Goose Dreams, and Jackie Sibblies Drury‘s Fairview. These productions—with themes of division, racism, identity, and more—respectively took audiences to a classroom in Iran, to the bustling city of Seoul, and into the home of a suburban Black family readying for a birthday party.

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Welcome to the Future:

Introducing the PIANO Conference

By: Paul Stancato, ITA Professional Theatre Rep.

Reflecting on my early days as the Artistic Director for Timber Lake Playhouse back in 2017, I vividly recall the bustling scene at the ITA's unified auditions in Chicago. There, at Roosevelt University, numerous Midwest-based companies, including mine, congregated to scout fresh talent among college-aged actors for our summer productions. While I recruited several promising candidates for TLP, I couldn't shake the thought that the process seemed limited to performers alone. Where were the avenues for discovering skilled designers, technicians, musicians, and stage managers, among other crucial roles?

When the pandemic swept through, the entire theater industry was brought to a grinding halt. As we emerged from the confinements of our homes after 18 long months, it became evident that a mere return to "normal" was no longer feasible. We faced the urgent need to adapt (even though I cringe at the word) if we were to ensure the survival of our craft.

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Everyday Safety for Everyday End Users

By: Tyler Delong, USITT

Introduction by: Steven House, ITA University Rep.

From USITT's Theatre Design and Technology, Tyler Delong talks about ANSI E1 Rigging standards. '"Is this safe?" is one of the most common questions an everyday user of a theatrical rating system should ask. The E1 series of American National Standard Institue (ANSI) standards, which answers a lot of questions is one tool an everyday user should be familiar with.

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"Is this Safe?" is one of the most common questions an everyday user of a theatrical rigging system should ask. With an ocean of information available at our fingertips, knowing what source to trust can be challenging. And then, interrupting the information can feel impossible. The E1 series of American National Standard Institute (ANSI) standards, which answer a lot of questions, is one tool an everyday user should be familiar with.

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Using Principles of Theatrical Intimacy to Shape Consent-based Spaces

for Minors

By: Kim Shively, Elon University Professor,

The Journal of Consent Based Performance

Introduction by Michelle Bayer, ITA Secondary Rep.

On Sunday, November 12th, a group of theatre educators participated in a six-hour workshop presented by Kim Shively, Elon University Professor and Intimacy Choreographer. In this training, educators were given the tools to create a consent-based space for middle and high school actors. Kim taught best practice for theatrical intimacy as well as teach students how to establish personal boundaries in the theatrical space and ways that kids can practice "pause" and articulating boundaries. This training was invaluable to those who participated, and we would like to give you a taste of what Kim offered in the article below.

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Empowering young performers to exercise their boundaries and educating those that work with minors on how to best serve those who will be the future of the industry is one of the most immediate ways we can ensure a more ethical future in the industry.

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Incorporating Anti-Racist Work into TVY: Spellbound Theatre devises

Lullaby Land

By: Jody Doo, Spellbound Theatre

Introduction by Chris Hollig, ITA CD/TYA Rep.

Theater Producer Jody Doo dives deep into what it means for Spellbound Theatre to actively incorporate anti-racist work into their Theatre for Very Young Audiences programming. Additionally, this article highlights how as theater-makers, we can start children on a journey to embrace and celebrate diversity through unique theatrical experiences.

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Remember that tumultuous period in Summer 2020? The building unrest with George Floyd’s unjust death, the unknowns of the pandemic, the uprising of We See You W.A.T. (White American Theater)… these were just the tip of the iceberg.

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29 Community Theatre Marketing Ideas

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By: TL Team, Theater Love

Introduction by Dawn Farrell, ITA Community Theatre Rep.

One of the biggest challenges of Community Theatre is consistently putting butts in your seats. Take a look at some theatre marketing ideas that may help you get those sold-out standing ovations you've dreamt of! 

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Promoting a play or a musical is a big job, and an important one; it’s the easiest way to increase ticket sales for your community theater. Great marketing campaigns do so much more than get butts in seats — they keeps your audience engaged between shows, attracts new volunteers, and ensures that every audition is packed with talented actors, singers, and musicians.

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