As an educational institution we must recognize and dismantle the structural barriers that exist that perpetuates racism and gender injustice in education, employment, health care, the criminal justice system, and all other American institutions, including our beloved theater.

As artists our hearts are often open to the world in beautiful and life changing ways; but, as an industry we have not always done right, and as a department, we are aiming to be better. We hope that you will join us in being supportive of each other, and yourselves, as we all work to become better humans and so, ultimately, better artists.

 It is easy—and understandable—to feel angry, sad, and helpless. But it is our greatest hope that we can channel those feelings to affect meaningful change in ourselves and our communities. Below are some immediate resources that may be helpful.

Anti-Racism:

• This comprehensive list of anti-racism books from Jane Mount. (https://bit.ly/2AwYzVA)

• Anti-Asian Violence Resources to help educate others and to take action (https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co)

• This guide from Sarah Sophie Flicker on anti-racism educational resources for white people and parents. (https://bit.ly/2U1jR4E)

• Resources to confront harassment on the street, online, and in the workplace (https://www.ihollaback.org/resources)

• This article on suggestions for advocating for racial justice (https://bit.ly/36S3qgg)
• This guide on to how to protest safely (https://bit.ly/2MqHYW9)

• Bystander Intervention Training to stop anti-Asian/American and xenophobic harassment; Register for this webinar in advance: https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org/events?fbclid=IwAR0y6gHO0FqGSXc9k5FpVQ926JSH_tv-v7I0IXHiYY13HBeOFJuByRJKSKU  

 

LGBTQ+ and Allyship
• This guide for How to be an Ally. (https://bit.ly/2Bnx7u9)

• This recourse for supporting LGBTQ+ playwrighting Artists. (https://bit.ly/2Yh8kAY)
• This website for the National LGBTQ Task Force. (https://www.thetaskforce.org/)
• This network for alliance building for trans and queer youth uniting for racial and gender justice. (https://gsanetwork.org/)
   

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 Here are some of the ways we pledge to improve as artists, professors, and staff:

Seek to employ LGBTQ+, People of the Global Majority (PGM), women, or persons with a disability in all facets of LPC Theater Arts courses and productions;

Include works by PGM and LGBTQ+ playwrights in every performance season and/or classroom (curriculum) readings and assignments;

Continue to participate in and examine our processes for Conscious casting in our full season of plays, including “classics” that may have casting biases within their theatrical historical castings;

Actively seeking to broaden our audience demographic;

Seek and participate in diversity training and staff development within the area of student equity;

Continue to work to create a safe space for students and staff to truthfully share their insights and opinions.

We hope that our students will join us in developing themselves as well and help us work towards a better department, and ultimately, better American (and global) theater.

Please continue to be safe and supportive of one another. As in our classes, please join us in listening, learning, and growing.

 

The Faculty and Staff of LPC Theater Arts

 

Las Positas College's Mission, Vision, and Values Statement can be found here: http://www.laspositascollege.edu/about/mission.php