Defining Diversity
In December 2009, the American Voices New Play Institute, in partnership with the Georgetown University Theater & Performance Studies Program, invited a group of over 20 artists, administrators, and leaders in the field to wrestle with the question of diversity: what do we mean when we use the word, why does it matter, and how can/does it benefit the infrastructure of new play development in the American not-for-profit theater sector.
The two-day convening incorporated both internal discussions and a public forum with an audience. The Defining Diversity Convening final report is listed at the right.
Mark Russell
Robert Levi
Kamilah Forbes
Sandra Gibson
What Does Diversity Mean to You?
A Public Forum on Diversity in New Play Development
Saturday, December 5th at 8:00pm
Gonda Theater, Davis Performing Arts Center
Georgetown University
Washington, DC, 20057
When the term “diversity” is used in the current theatre scene, what do we actually mean? What are the existing practices for increasing diversity in new play development and are they effective? A free public forum concluded the convening on diversity in new play development, featuring multimedia presentations from Mark Russell (Artistic Director and Producer, Under the Radar Festival), Robert Levi (Documentary Filmmaker, NEA New Play Development Program), and Kamilah Forbes (The Hip Hop Theater Festival) and commentary from notable theater artists and administrators throughout the country. The forum was moderated by Sandra Gibson, President and CEO of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.
