A message from our president

​In response to the anti-racism protests now taking place, Theatre on the Ridge stands in full support of the need to take deliberate action to eliminate systemic racism and discrimination within the theatre community, and is committed to looking within ourselves to effect necessary change.
 
It has not been, nor has ever been, the intention of Theatre on the Ridge to cause harm or create an environment that is not supportive and inclusive to all. The Board of Directors and staff would never knowingly condone any action that would. Theatre on the Ridge, as an organization, does not support discrimination or racism of any kind, but we, as with many theatre organizations, have been made very aware that our passive approach is no longer enough. We will be taking immediate action to address this.
 
Theatre on the Ridge is not an organization that identifies itself as all white and it is regrettable if this perception exists, locally or in the broader world. This perception is also, over the company’s short history, inaccurate. It is the hope of this company, that our actions going forward, along with due consideration of many of our past and current activities will eradicate this view.
 
To this end, the company is committed to:

• mandating diversity at all levels of the organization, including the Board of Directors,
• creating better recruitment strategies to engage BIPOC and other marginalized communities,
• creating clear procedures and communications channels to report and manage discrimination/harassment issues within the company, and to create a safe workspace for those who engage with us,
• mandating the inclusion of more culturally diverse artistic material and greater engagement of BIPOC and LGBTQ artists, as well as prioritizing the procurement of the revenues necessary to achieve these goals,
• seeking a diverse representation of contributors in our upcoming strategic planning work to ensure multiple perspectives are considered.

 
This has been a week of hard self-reflection for many individuals and organizations in the theatre world. Theatre on the Ridge intends to stand among those who have made the choice to grow for the benefit of all. We will continue to listen, learn and do better.
 
If you would like to contribute your support or add to the work that Theatre on the Ridge is undertaking through its strategic planning, please continue to follow the conversation through our newsletter and social media over the next several months or contact us at info@theatre3x60.ca.
 
Dr. Amy Barron, President of the Board of Directors

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