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Mission | History | Current
Initiatives | Artist Files Online |
NATIONAL
DIVERSITY FORUM
Written on the Body: A Conversation About Disability
National Diversity Forum,
primarily made possible by a grant from
the
National Endowment for the Arts
Screen Actors Guild – Producers Industry Advancement and
Cooperative Fund
and
New York State Council on the Arts
Launched in the fall of 2002, the Alliance is proud
to continue its National Diversity Forum.
The Forum is comprised of two parts: 1) Opinion Pieces and 2) the edited
transcripts of Internet and In-Person Roundtables. The Alliance’s goal is to build a picture
of diversity and inclusion in the American theatre, from the perspective of
those who are working in theatre, film, and television throughout America, who are attempting to do so, or who have a particular expertise
to offer. In this way, we hope to deepen dialogue through the candid exchange of
personal views, share strategies, report on accomplishments, and identify
remaining obstacles. Ultimately, we seek
to build an expanding group of leaders in the field committed to achieving
diversity and inclusion both on and off stage, in our audiences and at every
level of leadership, administration and production.
Each Roundtable is identified and is self-explanatory.
The Opinion Pieces represent a range of
professionals – director, artistic director, actor, writer, designer,
casting director, educator, administrator, activist,
journalist – commenting on change experienced or witnessed with
respect to diversity and inclusion over the last five years; giving
one’s assessment of the current climate, attitudes and opportunities;
identifying remaining barriers; and recommending what other organizations
and/or individuals might do to alleviate these barriers.
In
both the Roundtables and the Opinion Pieces, the industry professionals
participating represent a range of geography, cultural identification, age,
disability/ability as well as gender.
Please note that the views expressed here represent those of the writers
and roundtable participants, respectively, and are not necessarily those of the
Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, New
York State Council on the Arts, or Screen Actors Guild – Producers
Industry Advancement and Cooperative Fund.
The
Alliance is enthusiastic about this initiative and the possibilities it offers
for informing, and, at the same time, for stimulating further dialogue and
action toward achieving greater diversity and inclusion in the American
theatre.
Sharon
Jensen