We strive to create a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, anti-racist, and socially just department through intentional pedagogy, recruitment, community culture, and activities reflected in the stories we tell, and the voices we amplify. We recognize that Black, Brown, Asian/Pacific Islander communities, Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities and communities of color are all under-represented in our field and face the barriers of systemic racism and other forms of oppression. We are correcting that reality through anti-racist trainings, activities designed to raise awarness, interrogating our syllabi, modifying language and behaviors in an effort to transform the culture of our department and to support and honor global perspectives, voices, and cultures.

We believe in theater and its inherent power to transform. Theater has the potential to transform the individual, our audiences, the Brooklyn College community, and the community beyond. Through freedom of artistic expression and collaboration, we value an intentional practice that at its core synthesizes learning, doing, and making theater.

We value a rigorous and disciplined art practice that supports free expression and the uniqueness of the individual. We value a practice that encourages play and exploration by nurturing the growth, talent, and artistic ambition of the individual artist. We value free artistic expression and the ability to tailor an educational experience to the artists’ needs.

We embrace “failing forward,” supportive feedback, consensus, and a holistic approach to satisfying the curiosity of artistic experimentation, uplifting and inspiring each theater maker to embrace and express their unique artistic voice.

We cherish the community of students, staff, and faculty that comprise our department. We value partnerships between students, staff, and faculty that rely on power sharing, governance sharing, and transparency in decision making. Our community will forge a human-centered approach reliant on trust, collaboration, and being in community with one another.

We value global perspectives, global voices, and global cultures. We value uplifting historically marginalized voices of the non-white global majority and seek to rectify the inequities and colonistic structures that continue to plague our industry, our culture, and our society.

We value the autonomy of the individual artist through supporting self-care measures, mental and physical well-being, safety, respect, and the creation of a consent based approach to our work. We value a trusting environment to work and study by practicing compassion, empathy, and accepting personal boundaries.