Working Toward a Better and Safer Philly Theater Community
EGOPO'S STATEMENT ON NON-HARMING PRACTICES
EgoPo Classic Theater believes that the arts, culture and humanities are essential to maintain a flourishing democracy in our country. We believe this creates a responsibility for arts organizations to actively adopt non-harming practices necessary for arts organizations to authentically contribute to this inclusive environment we seek to create. We stand with those advocating, through action and practices, for the equal treatment of all humans throughout the globe. As such, we have adopted the following statements and procedures as a baseline for our institutional behavior:
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement
EgoPo is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion as being essential to the creation of theater that supports a just and humanitarian world. We embrace values, policies, and practices that ensure that all people—especially those who historically have been marginalized based on race/ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender, age, socioeconomic status, immigrant status, educational status or religion, have equal opportunities to participate in cultural life, as artists, technicians, administrators, board members, donors, audience, and volunteers.
Anti-Harassment
EgoPo is committed to providing an environment that is free from harassment, under any circumstances. All agents of the organization, including staff, supervisors, board members, artists, technicians, vendors, donors, and audience members, are expected to abide by this policy. No person will be adversely affected as a result of bringing complaints of unlawful harassment or instances of assault.
Non-Discrimination
EgoPo Classic Theater does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race/ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender, age, origin, socioeconomic status, immigrant status, educational status or religion in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our teams, casts, staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and audience.
Actions and Procedures to Support These Statement
EgoPo will make the entirety of our Non-Harming Statement, and any current and forthcoming policies and actions as they are approved, publicly acknowledged on our website.
EgoPo engaged members of the Board of Directors to form an Ad Hoc Committee who will work to develop actionable and sustainable policies and procedures that support the above statements.
EgoPo is actively pursuing board expansion to more adequately reflect the community we serve, which includes the addition of Black/African-American, Latinx/Hispanic-American and Native American members of our community.
EgoPo is working to establish a process of transparency and accountability that includes the creation of a communication pipeline to the chair of our diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, who will monitor and address claims in relation to EgoPo or affiliated agents that do not align with our statements and policies.
EgoPo will continue ongoing internal discussions around representation in our programs and productions as we seek to achieve the same level of equity and diversity with the hiring of staff, creative artists, and producing partners.
Terms Defined
What is “Non-Harming”? “Harm” is defined as “physical or mental damage or injury: something that causes someone or something to be hurt, broken, made less valuable or successful.” (Merriam-Webster) EgoPo agrees with the greater arts community that any act or behavior that is non-equitable, discriminatory, or harassing is harmful to the person or persons it affects. As such, our policies in totality encompass a Statement of Non-Harming.
What is Sexual Harassment? Behavior and verbal or non-verbal communication of a sexual nature that is unwelcome and offensive to the person or persons it is targeted toward. Examples of harassing behavior may include unwanted physical contact, foul language of an offensive sexual nature, sexual propositions, sexual jokes or remarks, obscene gestures, and displays of pornographic or sexually explicit pictures, drawings, or caricatures. For additional examples and definitions, please visit RAINN.
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