We believe that every voice must be heard.
We believe that every person must be seen.
We believe that together, we have the
power to build a better world.
Every day, CATF strives to create a culture of inclusivity.
A Path Towards Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression
CATF was founded in 1991 on the values of creating fearless art and telling diverse stories.
In 1991 we thought we understood what those values meant. More than 30 years later, those values now represent a mindful intention and best-practice commitment to be more than a theater that produces plays by diverse playwrights. We, as the CATF team dream of being an institution that holds anti-racism and anti-oppression (ARAO) values in every aspect of our daily operations. We will strive to infuse these practices in the art, business, and culture we create for artists and audiences of the global majority. Today we commit to building an anti-racist and anti-oppressive CATF.
How the Journey Began
In 2016, CATF’s Producing Director was a member of the Board for the Theatre Communications Group. After his return from a Board meeting focused on Equity and Inclusion, we understood the time for meaningful change was here. We hired Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity expert Sarah Bellamy to assess the organization. Over the years, we’ve consulted with Sarah to create recurring training sessions and outline protocols to help us establish an offstage culture to better support onstage work. We thought we understood our purpose and our work. After the murder of George Floyd and the impact of the “We See You, White American Theater” movement, we began to fully recognize the urgency of the ARAO work and the necessary commitment needed to live the work of being anti-racist. We continue to work with Sarah Bellamy. We continue to work as individuals. We continue to work as a group of artists. And we continue to work with our Board of Trustees and many partners to create art, community, and culture that is anti-racist and anti-oppressive.
Below you will find CATF’s current Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Vision Statement and commitment. We know that this is ongoing, daily work. As we continue our journey to create anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices and foster inclusive and brave spaces, we will continue to share our updated vision, commitment, and learning with you. We invite you to participate in this journey with us. Envisioning and activating ARAO principles is essential to our continued growth and transformation as an institution. And this vital quest can only happen if we all work together.
Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression
VISION STATEMENT
Across the country, individuals and organizations are striving to eradicate racism and address deeply rooted racial disparities within their individual and business practices. CATF acknowledges that racism and oppression exist in our institution, the American theater, and throughout our society. For centuries personal and structural racism has manifested in daily interactions, policies, and practices. This environment is a painful burden for the global majority.
Every season, artists from across the country gather at the Contemporary American Theater Festival to create theater – the artistic medium dependent on the collaboration of artist and audience in heart and mind. CATF understands the power of the art to ignite change in the way only theater can. These artists, our change-makers, represent the diversity of this nation, and it is CATF’s responsibility to ensure that every artist feels welcomed, valued, heard, and supported for their powerfully unique contributions.
Art-makers have asked theaters to investigate and rectify racial inequities within industry practices. The Contemporary American Theater Festival’s name, mission, and values, urge the Festival to join in this vital movement for change. CATF hears you. We choose to answer this call. We choose to create a community inclusive of the underrepresented voices of our industry. CATF commits to anti-racist and anti-oppressive art and art-making practices within all facets of our institution. This commitment is the only path forward for CATF and transformative change for all. We acknowledge we have work to do.
CATF vows to create inclusive practices that disrupt and dismantle racism and oppression within our organization. We will reimagine art without bias, reinvent current and long-term operational procedures, and reassess our daily interactions. CATF pledges to dedicate time and money to sustaining anti-racist and anti-oppressive initiatives. CATF will foster brave spaces that create kind, supportive, accessible, and trustworthy environments for our global majority artists as they work towards powerful art-making.
CATF strives toward a future in which underrepresented communities are uplifted and valued within the American theater. CATF believes focusing on equitable art-making will create a richer, more profound experience for artists, audiences, and our communities. CATF pledges our art and actions to this charge – to this call to action.
This is CATF’s commitment;
a life-time work in progress.
BLACK LIVES MATTER.