Commitments to Anti-Racism

Understanding the urgency and depth of change needed throughout our industry, Playwrights Horizons has created this public statement of commitments to anti-racism in our theater, created through rigorous conversations with the staff, leadership committee, and board. These commitments are by no means an end-point; there is no end-point. The work in front of us is extensive, and it demands constant attention and dialogue as our theater deepens its critical work to move Playwrights Horizons and our industry toward a more just, inclusive, diverse, equitable, and anti-racist future. 

We recognize that American theater is born of a country founded on white supremacy. Acknowledging that systemic racism and oppression are enmeshed in our nation’s history and culture, we understand that anti-racism is ongoing work. It must be woven through every program, practice, and space in our organization. In order to fully realize our mission, we must provide equitable support for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color within our entire theater community. 

Though this statement focuses on anti-racism, we are also dedicated to applying equal care and commitment to uprooting and changing all systems of oppression, including those based on ethnicity, gender, ability, age, class, and religion. 

Playwrights Horizons is both a theater and a theater school. While this document focuses on our theater’s work to produce and develop new plays, Playwrights Horizons Theater School is actively engaged in creating a statement of policies specific to its own operations, curriculum, and pedagogy. 

This statement is arranged in three sections: 
1. An Overview of our Objective, Vision, and Values. 
2. A set of Goals, Commitments, and Strategies.
3. A structure for Accountability and Measuring Change to help us track our progress, identify areas where we have fallen short, and provide us a roadmap for the path forward.