A Statement of Action
June 12, 2020
NextStop Theatre is committed to doing the real, challenging, and essential work of battling racism. However, we also recognize that we do not currently have all necessary voices at our table to effectively determine our path forward. We must first start by welcoming and incorporating new perspectives that can better evaluate and challenge our actions and our impact on the community.
As we begin the process of building an environment of better understanding and representation, we know that actions matter. Therefore we will take the following initial steps immediately:
NextStop board and leadership will begin with meaningful introspection and self-education around EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion).
NextStop commits to engaging with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists, patrons, and EDI professionals to guide us and illuminate our bias.
NextStop will create a detailed strategic plan that embraces diversity, dismantles bias, and creates a culture of anti-racism in our organization.
NextStop will start by bringing no fewer than three new BIPOC voices onto our board in the next year.
NextStop will uplift BIPOC voices as we grow our staff and leadership.
NextStop is committed to working with at least 50% BIPOC artists annually.
We fully intend for this list of actions to grow and change as we engage and learn. We look forward to striving each day to build a stronger, more just, and fundamentally better organization and community.
Evan Hoffmann, Producing Artistic Director
Abigail Fine, Managing Director
The NextStop Board of Directors