Social Justice and Diversity
We consider OPS to be a safe space for persons from all walks of life. We believe that Shakespeare’s work and characters benefit from exploration by a wide array of artists from different backgrounds and experiences. In this spirit, we actively seek out artists of color, LGBTQ+ artists with disabilities, as well as all gender identities, ages, and expressions of humanity.
Who are we?
|
75% - Female/Non-Binary 50% - LGBTQIA+ 20% - BIPOC 20% - Artists with Disabilities |
People are more important than art" |
What have we done?
2023-2024 - Monthly Anti-Racism meetings to deep dive in to the 1619 Project.
4/2022 - Equity Training with Uprise Collective
1/2022 - Co-AD Jen Lanier attended Shakespeare Theatre Association National Conference.
7/2021 - Created Enby Ambassador position as a response to company culture.
7/2021 - First ASL interpreted show
6/2021 - Participated in Virtual Portland Pride Parade.
8/2020 - Joined STA (Shakespeare Theatre Association)
6/2019 - Partnered with Vancouver USA Pride to perform at "Saturday in the Park," as well as participated in Drag Queen Storytime protection when they were threatened by protesters.
1/2019 - First performance of "Elder R&J" - reverse age casting of Romeo and Juliet.
5/2018 - Held first annual company meeting
Pre-season 2018
-Began massive culture shift to place safety (physical and psychological) of all as our true priority.
-Established multiple workplace policies (including those around accessibility, complaints, diversity, harassment, and vulnerability), published them in a Company Handbook, and created avenues for safe reporting of violations.
-Established clear job descriptions for Artistic Directors, Apprentice Director, and Education Director, including checks and balances.
-Established clear contracts for all staff.
-Instituted annual performance reviews for all staff.
-Established clear policy around intimacy onstage, including detailed guidelines for pre-show check ins, and checks and balances when there is a power imbalance
-Began actively seeking out actors of color, trans actors, actors of age, and actors with disabilities.
-Established onstage failsafe that allows actors to stop the show at any time if they feel threatened or unsafe.
-Clearly outlined and further established our policies of gender-flexible, race-flexible, orientation-flexible casting.
-Began massive culture shift to place safety (physical and psychological) of all as our true priority.
-Established multiple workplace policies (including those around accessibility, complaints, diversity, harassment, and vulnerability), published them in a Company Handbook, and created avenues for safe reporting of violations.
-Established clear job descriptions for Artistic Directors, Apprentice Director, and Education Director, including checks and balances.
-Established clear contracts for all staff.
-Instituted annual performance reviews for all staff.
-Established clear policy around intimacy onstage, including detailed guidelines for pre-show check ins, and checks and balances when there is a power imbalance
-Began actively seeking out actors of color, trans actors, actors of age, and actors with disabilities.
-Established onstage failsafe that allows actors to stop the show at any time if they feel threatened or unsafe.
-Clearly outlined and further established our policies of gender-flexible, race-flexible, orientation-flexible casting.
5/2018 - Held first annual diversity and harassment training for Board, Core, and Associate members. (w/Dara Snyder, YWCA)
11/2017 -
-Hired POC co-Artistic Director, Jennifer Lanier.
-Realigned our org chart to share power more equitably among the two artistic directors, Board, and Staff.
-Joined PATA (Portland Area Theatre Alliance)
-Co-AD Jennifer Lanier joins PDX AD Roundtable
-Hired POC co-Artistic Director, Jennifer Lanier.
-Realigned our org chart to share power more equitably among the two artistic directors, Board, and Staff.
-Joined PATA (Portland Area Theatre Alliance)
-Co-AD Jennifer Lanier joins PDX AD Roundtable
7/2017 - Workplace Harassment & Discrimination Seminar attended by Artistic Director and Company Manager