Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access at FST
FST seeks to create an environment where diverse identities, cultures, and ideas are encouraged. FST embraces diversity in all its forms. The inclusion of difference(s) such as ability, age, background, beliefs, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and all other identities represented across staff, board, artists, and audiences help make us better equipped to serve our community.
The health and wellbeing of FST depends upon the existence of a culture of respect and connection between our artists, staff, and audience. Every artist and every audience member brings their own unique self to the theatrical experience - their history, their story, their personal truths. Theatre allows us to explore these truths together in collaboration - artist and audience - to explore what it means to be human and how together we create a better humanity. FST will continue to invest in sustained efforts to cultivate long-term, authentic and symbiotic relationships with current and prospective audiences and our wider community. We will do so while promoting generous, open, and respectful discourse and consideration of diverse perspectives.
The FST mission springs from its core philosophy inspired by the words of James Joyce: “I go to encounter for the millionth time and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of the race.” FST's mission also clearly states that we will present plays that “challenge with as much gusto as they entertain,” and “to create a public forum for the issues of our day that will foster positive change in our community and beyond.” This artistic mission is directly tied to the moral compass of our day: to address issues of equality and equity in our country, and thus, our lives. FST seeks to cull and develop the best contemporary plays in America. We are committed to the continued growth of the diversity of work we do on our stages and outside our walls.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are essential in all activity of our organization, both on and off stage. Ours is an ongoing process that embraces participation from everyone in the FST community - artists, staff, board, audience, and volunteers. We will continue the conversation. We will continue to listen. We will learn and we will change, ever moving forward to what the great American playwright August Wilson called “a ground of being,” a land where we are far richer for our diverse people, talents, and experiences.