BIPOC IN AUSTRALIAN THEATRE
PLEASE NOTE: The term ‘BIPOC’ is used in an Australian context to represent Indigenous / First Nations / Bla(c)k / Black / African Australian and People of Colour.
The Australian theatre industry has an opportunity to be more inclusive of BIPOC artists and honour them with better representation on our stages.
The following questions will help you assess if your company is doing enough.
Use the below points to acknowledge previous blind spots and to develop an inclusion policy.
Has your company undertaken anti-racism training and do you provide this for all employees, board members, crew and all contractors working within the company?
Does your company have a BIPOC inclusion policy? Have any BIPOC created or advised your company in this policy?
Do you have a code of conduct that specifically addresses racism, racial abuse, microagressions and racial transgressions that is communicated to all staff and company members?
How many BIPOC have you employed on your boards, management, programming, creative, casting, marketing, crew and administrative teams?
If you have an employee who is BIPOC, do you have a BIPOC in a position of leadership (management or creative) that they can confide in?
Do you include an acknowledgement of traditional land owners including a statement that sovereignty was never ceded in a pre show announcement before all performances?
Does your programming include a percentage of productions that are written by BIPOC?
Do you actively present productions that have previously been considered problematic for BIPOC? Do you make it a priority to solve the issues within these productions or make a clear statement as to why you aren’t?
Do you engage with cultural advisors when working on material that represents them (if the director is not of that representation)?
How do you handle material that could be triggering for BIPOC (for company, cast and audiences) and create safe spaces?
Do you engage creative teams that include BIPOC (especially when programming shows written by or about BIPOC)?
Do you have any BIPOC on your casting team?
Do you hire designers who are aware of how to dress BIPOC for their body shapes, design / style their hair types and design makeup considering their skin tones?
Does your marketing / PR / social media feature positive messaging about inclusion and diversity (visually and textually)?
Does your audience development plan have a focus on BIPOC?
Do you educate your audiences (via marketing / PR / social media / educational programs) about inclusion and diversity?
Do you provide mentorship, internships, secondments, work experience or any workshops or training specifically for BIPOC?
Do you partner with, donate to or promote any organisations who actively support BIPOC?
Do you cast BIPOC to fill a quota or are you consciously and actively casting BIPOC to balance representation?
Do you cast BIPOC in roles not specifically written for them, regardless of era, location or status?
Do you consciously avoid casting BIPOC in roles that are racial stereotypes? Do you seek advice/opinions from BIPOC to ensure you have not done this?
Do you use the wording ‘open to all ethnicities’ as a formality rather than an authentic mission? How can you communicate this better?
Do you use the terms ‘colourblind casting’ or ‘colour-inclusive casting’ or ‘colour-conscious casting’? Do you know what the difference is?
Do you actively seek BIPOC (attend showcases, attend other shows that feature BIPOC, speak to agents, speak to BIPOC, research community groups etc)?
Do you feature BIPOC prominently as the hero talent in your marketing material?
IT’S TIME FOR ACTION
I am available to consult with your company on inclusion of BIPOC artists in theatre and other industries. Please contact me if you wish to engage with myself or other BIPOC artists within my network.