Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

The current resurgence of the anti-racism movement in America, spurred by the recent deaths of unarmed Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others at the hands of police and vigilantes has sparked a nation-wide conversation about systemic racism in our nation, our businesses, and our communities.

The theater community, both nationally and locally here in the Greater Bay Area, has engaged with the struggle both in uplifting the voices of those committed to anti-racism and in examining systemic racism within our own companies and communities.

We at SPARC acknowledge and appreciate the sentiments set forth in the national document We See You White American Theater and the locally generated BIPOC Equity Action Plan and call for remedial action. While we have continually implemented policies to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion during our 14 years since incorporation in 2006, we recognize the need to devote even more time and energy to the issues identified in these documents and the remedial actions they demand.

Toward that end, our leadership staff members are actively participating in the Accountability Work Group, as well as engaging board and staff in the many Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and anti-racism trainings and workshops currently available. Our annual retreat of the Board of Directors will be held on September 27, 2020. We pledge to discuss at the retreat, as part of our strategic planning, the various specific aspects of the Action Plans, and to take the time necessary to create a viable action plan specific to our company and community. We are committed to implementing the remedial measures sought to the extent feasible while being mindful of the financial viability of our small company. We have already reached out to other similar organizations to find creative ways to implement improvements collectively and creatively. We pledge to hold ourselves accountable.

Shakespeare’s Associates

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Statement

Written by the Committee for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

All the world’s a stage, and we, from all ethnic and economic backgrounds, with various physical abilities, and of diverse gender and sexual identities, merely players. Shakespeare & Performing Arts Regional Company (SPARC) is committed to continually striving for diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring practices, through its dedication to the presentation of classical theater, and by its promotion of contemporary literature.

Our objective is to reflect the diversity of our Bay Area audience members on stage and behind the scenes. Diversity, equity, and inclusion also extends into SPARC’s organizational management and education programs. Accordingly, SPARC’s artistic and administrative hiring practices are reflective of the diversity within the Tri Valley and throughout the broader San Francisco Bay Area. We value an inclusive community.

For many years, SPARC has been committed to the hiring of women practitioners. At present, our permanent staff is exclusively female. SPARC continues in this cutting edge approach as a way to give voice to a vast group of people who have traditionally been sidelined in the theatre.

It is clearly evident William Shakespeare does not sugar-coat the difficulties of struggle. He provides a space, in time and place, for the story of the struggle to be told. We believe that to break through the struggle, it is necessary to become not only an equitable, passionate, and compassionate human being but also a producing theatre company of the same nature. He encourages the conversation to continue. All of us who participate in SPARC’s programs are part of a conversation, contributing to a future that is a credit to us and a gift to those who follow.