At B Street Theatre, we are deeply committed to promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) in all aspects of our organization. We recognize the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that reflects the diversity of our community and ensures equal access to the arts for all individuals.

Board of Directors: We understand that diverse perspectives and experiences are essential for effective governance. Our board currently has 10 women and three persons of color. We are actively working to develop and maintain a Board of Directors that reflects the diversity of our community. By bringing together individuals from different backgrounds, we aim to ensure that our decision-making processes are inclusive and representative of the communities we serve. Additionally, our Board is committed to ongoing progress of bringing an anti-racism and IDEA ethos to its governance role.

Staff Diversity and Inclusivity: We believe that a diverse and inclusive staff is crucial for fostering a culture of inclusivity and anti-racism within our organization. Within our organization, our five-person leadership team is composed of one white woman under the age of 40, one African American woman, two Latinx and 1 white man. We are dedicated to engaging in hiring practices that prioritize building a staff that reflects the diversity of our community. By doing so, we aim to create a workforce that embraces inclusivity and actively works towards dismantling systemic barriers. We also provide ongoing training and support to our staff members to ensure they are equipped with the necessary tools to promote IDEA principles throughout the organization.

Programming Diversity: We are committed to consistently and intentionally producing programming that reflects a powerful diversity of perspectives and experiences. Our 2022-23 Mainstage offerings for example, include four BIPOC writers out of eight productions. Out of eight productions, six of the pieces were penned by female playwrights. Our goal is to showcase a wide range of characters, stories, and themes that resonate with our diverse audience. By doing so, we aim to create a space where individuals from all backgrounds can see themselves represented on stage and feel a sense of belonging.

Engagement with diverse communities: We recognize the importance of investing in and fostering authentic engagement with BIPOC communities. We actively seek to build trust among diverse artists, audiences, and community partners. Through collaborative partnerships including Teatro Nagual (cabarets) and Celebration Arts (Juneteenth, special events), we aim to establish The Sofia as a community center where all individuals feel welcome and included. By centering the voices and experiences of BIPOC communities, we strive to create a more equitable and inclusive arts ecosystem. For the 2025 New Comedies Festival we have begun targeted outreach to artists and organizations of color to receive more submissions reflecting works from underrepresented communities.

Cultural Competency: We are dedicated to deepening cultural competency throughout all aspects of our organization’s operations. We have established and communicated a code of conduct that outlines our commitment to IDEA principles. This includes policies and accountabilities that promote cultural sensitivity and respect. By fostering a culturally competent environment, we aim to create a safe and inclusive space for all individuals involved with our organization.

Removing Barriers to Access: We are actively working to remove barriers to access for our programs. We believe that everyone should have equal opportunities to engage with the arts, regardless of their background or circumstances. By identifying and addressing barriers, such as financial constraints or lack of representation, we strive to create a more inclusive and accessible environment for all. Efforts to remove barriers include: strategically providing complimentary tickets to schools, organizations and individuals who work with diverse communities, having one performance per six week run with $9 tickets and creating theatre-centered events with our community partners.

Supporting Diverse Artists: We are committed to enhancing opportunities for diverse artists and fostering a consistently safe and culturally competent environment. We provide support and resources to ensure that artists from all backgrounds have the opportunity to showcase their talents and contribute to the cultural vibrancy of our community. By nurturing a diverse community of artists, we aim to create a more inclusive and representative arts landscape.

Community Partnerships: We actively build and strengthen community and business partnerships with aligned EDIA priorities. Through these partnerships, we produce programming that features a range of inclusive content, tailored to the specific needs of our partners. By collaborating with organizations that share our commitment to EDIA, we can amplify our impact and reach a broader audience.

Culturally Competent Arts Education: We are dedicated to delivering quality, culturally competent arts education experiences that inspire a sense of community for all involved. Our arts education programs are led by teaching artists who reflect the diversity of our community. By providing culturally relevant and inclusive education experiences, we aim to empower individuals and foster a greater appreciation for the arts. All of our performances are accompanied by a comprehensive study guide which helps teachers to discuss topics such as diversity and inclusivity in the classroom. We also offer “pay-what-you-can” preview performances to Title 1 schools as well as a “Buy a Bus Program” which allows donors and organizations to sponsor transportation for schools that may not traditionally have access to theatre.

Accessible Performances: We are committed to enhancing our offerings of accessible performances across our performance programs. This includes providing performances with American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, open captioning, audio description, and sensory-friendly accommodations. By ensuring that our performances are accessible to individuals with different abilities, we strive to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community.