DEIA Commitment

Our Commitment

We believe theatre has the power to bring people together, to illuminate the human experience, and inspire understanding. At Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, we exist to celebrate differences, uplift our shared humanity, and confront the injustices and inequities that shape our city and nation.

We welcome people of all races, ethnicities, religions, sexualities, gender identities, ages, abilities, backgrounds, countries of origin and other historically excluded communities. This commitment will be reflected in our programming, audience, outreach and all those connected with the Playhouse — management, staff, Board of Trustees, volunteers and vendors.

Accomplished

• Produce a sensory-friendly/relaxed matinee performance of A Christmas Carol.
• Expanded Launch Pad Accessibility Program for summer camps.
• Provide a space and opportunity for patrons to discuss show themes and behind-the-scenes insights with Art Talks.

Ongoing

• Produce BIPOC plays on both stages, every season.
• Hire creative teams that are diverse and inclusive.
• Practice identity and color-conscious casting when roles are not specified by the playwright.
• Serve as a resource to local artists and organizations from under-represented and historically excluded groups.

Goals

• Establish a more robust system to recruit local artistic talent
• Produce a sensory-friendly/relaxed matinee performance of A Christmas Carol.

Accomplished

• Expand accessibility programming across spaces, including adding Audio Description services to the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre.

Ongoing

• Work with and support social justice groups that promote Equity in our community.
• Deepen our relationship with the Cincinnati LGBTQIA+ community.
• Build new partnerships each season that deepen our roots in the community.
• Examine issues relevant to selected shows through community conversations and Playhouse Perspectives.
• Offer free and subsidized performances of school and Off-the-Hill touring productions across the Tri-State area.
• Make our spaces accessible for those with any physical or sensory need.
• Ensure economic access to Playhouse programming.

Goals

• Create an archive of past and present community and social justice partnerships.
• Invest in new technologies to improve accessibility (Audio Description, ASL, Open Captioning)

Accomplished

• Incorporated DEIA goals and metrics into a new three-year strategic plan.
• Hired a full-time, dedicated DEIA staff member.
• Established ongoing staff and Board learning.
• Increased Board representation from historically marginalized people.
• Increased staff representation from historically excluded groups.

Ongoing

• Provide DEIA and anti-racism learning and development opportunities for Board, staff, volunteers and leadership.
• Maintain affinity spaces for staff and artists from historically excluded groups.
• Maintain an allyship affinity space for staff and artists for continued learning.

Goals

• Empower staff and board with soft skills necessary to build a values-based organizational culture.