Equity, Diversity, Accessibility and Inclusion

Equity, Diversity, Accessibility and Inclusion Statement

Theater for the New City has been leading the way, since our inception, in creating an equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible environment for all artists, staff, board members, audiences and volunteers who come through our doors.

 As one of this country’s preeminent cultural institutions, we recognize the importance of the role we play in elevating diverse voices in our storytelling, with more than 53 years of producing inclusive theater seasons as proof. Through so many of our programs such as our Resident Theater Program, New City New Blood Reading Series, Emerging Playwrights we have lifted artists from Asian American, Black, Hispanic, Latino, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and persons with disabilities communities. Through our Free Ticket program we have made theater accessible to those very communities and many more. 

Our work in this arena has been recognized by the Audelco Awards, ASCAP Awards, Latino Alternative Theater Awards, The Mayors Stop the Violence Award, the Manhattan Borough President’s Award for Public Service and Artistic Excellence in Theater, and NY City Council Proclamation paid tribute to TNC’s contributions to improving the quality of life in the City by its “rich tradition of bringing theater to people in multi-cultural neighborhoods”. Diverse and inclusive theater is in our DNA, the Theater for the New City family of artists is as broad as the rainbow with Cobu, Ismael Rheed, William Electric Black, Maria Irene Fornes, Eduardo Machado, Charles Busch, Harvey Fierstein, Penny Arcade, Melanie Maria Goodreaux, Rome Neal, Vinnie Burrows, Kitty Lunn Infinity Dance Theater and so so many more being a part of our story. 

Antiracist Statement:

Theater for the New City has always and continues to condemn all forms of racism, white supremacy, racist language, hate speech, police brutality and acts of violence against BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) individuals and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We wholeheartedly believe that Black lives matter and support the international cry for equity and social justice. 

Gender Pronoun Statement

At Theater for the New City, we have always respected everyone’s gender pronouns, and we work daily to deter assumptions about gender based on appearance. We support everyone’s right to share their gender pronouns. We welcome and honor all gender identities at our institution.