American Blues Theater explores the American identity through the plays it produces and communities it serves. We believe our theater can uplift, educate, entertain, and provide social change. We aspire to foster Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Access (IDEA) both on and off stage while utilizing an antiracist practice.
Using the profound Demands for a White American Theater document, Chicago Theater Standards, and learnings from the Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium (CCAC) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), we began implementing and enhancing our policies and processes. This living document will be completed by June 30, 2022 and reviewed annually to ensure our theater is a home for all people.
Our lifelong commitment requires each of us to do our part!
Programming – Our commitment to IDEA standards are visible in our play selection, arts education in Chicago Public Schools, playwriting awards and festivals, and our amplification of community partners.
Accountability – We learn and improve policies using staff & guest artist assessments, patron feedback, and third-party audits, consistently providing equitable pay, and adhering to an antiracist process of theater-making.
Resources – We provide continuing IDEA education to staff, an array of resources to artists & patrons, and financial training to staff and artists.
Transparency – We are committed to open and honest communications and hiring practices, finance & budgeting, and making relevant information available through our website and marketing materials.
Read our Land Acknowledgment.
Read our Antiracism Commitment.
Read our Response to We See You White American Theater.
Read our statements of solidarity for Black Lives Matter and Stop AAPI Hate.