In 2017, as part of our Strategic Planning process we identified eight core values for Antaeus. One of these pillars is Inclusivity:
We are committed to creating a welcoming environment and deeper inclusion within our company. Antaeus strives for diversity through Company membership, Board membership, staff, inclusive casting, choice of artistic material, and through our community engagement. We are a space where all voices are heard.
In 2020, we developed an EDI (Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion) Road Map that was based on this statement. This Road Map was shared internally with the Board, Staff, and Company Members of Antaeus for Accountability and Transparency. Below are the highlights of our progress from 2021/22, as well as some next steps for our EDI work at Antaeus.
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People's World
-FY 2022/23 Highlights:
• Our Library serves as the heart and soul of Antaeus. We secured funding and launched a major effort to expand and diversify our collection by bringing in more work from writers who are underrepresented by incorporating works from other cultures, as well as works from playwrights who are BIPOC, women, and/or part of the LGBTQA+ community. Phase Two of this project is underway which will allow us to diversify our collection. In early 2024, our entire collection will be available through the Glendale Central Library.
• We selected two playwrights for our second annual NEXT Commissions, a new play development initiative for BIPOC playwrights. NEXT Commissions were created to amplify historically underrepresented voices and to broaden the scope of the classical theater canon. Through this program, writers will develop original, full-length works inspired by, or in response to, classic plays, historical events and figures of their choosing. Commissioned writers receive financial, dramaturgical, and logistical support with the goal of producing these plays in upcoming Antaeus seasons. For more information, click here.
• We continued our Open Call to serve as a pipeline for our casting of productions. We hope that by opening up our casting process we will be able to meet many wonderful artists we don’t currently know.
• We continue to include our Code of Conduct in all artist offers. This Code includes information about how to report any issues so they can be handled in a timely and appropriate manner.
Moving forward, our leadership will revisit our progress and set new goals for EDI annually. We have also added a budget line item to support this work at Antaeus.