StoryBook Theatre makes the following commitment to our community:
We are committed to telling more stories that reflect everyone in our community.
We recognize that our community is made up of approximately 35% BIPOC and 50% female and non-binary people.
We are committed to including more representation of diverse individuals on and off stage. This includes cast, crew, staff, and volunteers. As a first step, we will be seeking to expand the diversity of our Board of Directors as we recruit new board members.
We are committed to stronger outreach and the establishment of an Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility Committee as part of our Board of Directors. This will help ensure access to our existing programming is extended to more marginalized individuals including, but not limited to BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+, and persons with disabilities.
We are committed to actively seeking and producing work written by our marginalized community including but not limited to BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+, and persons with disabilities.
We are committed to the diverse and appropriate casting of the actors and volunteers we engage to tell our stories both off and on stage.
We are committed to ensuring we have the appropriate support and outreach in the telling of all our stories authentically and respectfully.
We are committed to making our programming more accessible to our marginalized community including but not limited to BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+, persons with disabilities, and especially to those who are disadvantaged economically. We will maintain this through our ticket donations, school pricing, theatre school subsidies, bursaries, and the Ellie Tims project.
We are committed to the active measuring of statistics and communication of our efforts starting immediately. Visit our STATISTICS page to see our current and upcoming efforts towards our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We aim to have our organization be made of a minimum 35% BIPOC and 50% female + non-binary by 2024-2025 season.
We understand to achieve this goal, significant investment in the following will be required to ensure equitable hiring practice, and a healthy work environment for BIPOC staff and contractors.
We are committed to being open, curious, and reflective about our role in fighting systemic racism, exclusion, discrimination, and hate. We will listen and engage in the hard conversations about our organization so StoryBook Theatre can be that place where all artists and audiences feel welcome, safe, valued, and celebrated
These commitments will mean nothing if they do not result in clear, measurable actions supported by ongoing dialogue with and among our board, staff, artists and community. This is just the first critical step in a much longer process.
If you have feedback or would like to contribute to our action plan or our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility Committee, please email us.
We will remain on the growing edge.
StoryBook Theatre Board of Directors
“Children are the future, teach them well, let them lead the way.”
Linda Creed & Michael Masser
In our 46 years of work, we know that we have made mistakes.
We acknowledge our privilege, we own our failings, and we hold ourselves accountable to our past, present and the future that lies ahead. We will continue to learn from our missteps and allow those to guide our decisions now and over the next 43 years.
“Careful the things you say, children will listen.”
Stephen Sondheim
The work we do each and every day is in service to our young people, our future, and our community builders of tomorrow. It is time to lead by example. It is time for our community to give up more of our privileged space to the voices of our BIPOC community and show our young people what their future can be. By doing this, we are allowing those young people the platform they will need to lead the way. The work we do today will inform the world we want and need tomorrow.
Now, more than ever, StoryBook understands the duty we have to stand against racism in our organization and our communities. We need to actively work hard to amplify the voices of our Black, Indigenous, other People of Colour, LGBTQ2+, persons with disabilities and all marginalized groups in this community we call home.
No matter the work we have done in the past, we know we can do better.
We must do better.
We are listening.
We are learning.
We are taking action.
"Each child belongs to all of us and they will bring us a tomorrow in direct relation to the responsibility we have shown to them."
Maya Angelou
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
As a Black woman, I am proud to work with StoryBook.
For nearly 20 years I have had the privilege of being part of the StoryBook family. I have performed on stage, worked as a stage manager, a production team member, and have served as a board member. I have always felt safe, supported and valued.
As a woman of colour, it matters to me that others feel the same in our organization, and in the community at large. I am proud of the work that StoryBook does for our community, and I hope everyone will see our values and our heart reflected in these commitments. I am happy to be a part of the change.
Jolene Anderson,
President - StoryBook Theatre Society
Our Commitment to our Community
StoryBook's actions & continued work toward equity, inclusivity, diversity and accessibility
As the world around rose up, it was important for StoryBook to take the time and look inward. We have had and continue to have difficult and inspiring conversations amongst ourselves, our artists, and the community we serve.