Commitment Statement & Policies

TCG’s mission is to strengthen, nurture, and promote the professional theatre field. We support the field’s – and the National Conference’s – plurality of aesthetic, perspective, race, class, gender, age,  mission, as well as organizational size and structure. We stridently reject any form of racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and other forms of hatred, bias, and discrimination at our convenings.

As such, TCG commits to creating the following conditions at the National Conference:

• Avoiding language that is oppressive (for example, racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, and/or ableist) in our materials, session facilitation, and public addresses.
• Making sure that everyone can have a valuable experience by creating multiple entry points to our programming for organizations of different missions and budget sizes, and for attendees at all stages and places in their careers.
• Using affinity spaces as an essential strategy for mobilizing toward collective action (see the Guide to the Agenda for more info on affinity spaces).
• Providing inclusive and accessible Conference spaces and sessions, and clearly noting barriers to accessibility when present.
• Equipping attendees with resources to help navigate their access, safety, and belonging in Miami outside of formal Conference spaces.
• Increasing access to the Conference for more people from underrepresented communities, and lowering barriers to attendance.
• Welcoming children and caregivers into our Conference spaces, via our family-friendly policies and our on-site nursing room. (See the Guide to the Agenda for details.)
• Inviting attendees to engage meaningfully in climate action and environmental justice work, including learning more sustainable practices of living and working, to take home and expand on.
• Making space for self-care, prayer, and reflection with expanded break times and a designated WellSpace for attendees to escape the bustle of the Conference and to devote some of their time to activations dedicated to their well-being.
• Encouraging our facilitators to acknowledge power dynamics in session rooms and allow space for all attendees to contribute, regardless of professional title or personal identity.
• Challenging attendees’ preconceptions and biases through our session content and encouraging a spirit of openness with respect to new ideas.
• Creating a clear system through which attendees can report any incidents of misconduct, sexual or otherwise, while at the Conference (see the Anti-Harassment Policy and Reporting System).
• Treating each Conference attendee with respect and an acknowledgment of their full humanity.
• Offering the possibility for discovering joy in the Conference journey, in the inspiration that springs from learning new things, getting to know a new community, and feeling a part of something larger than oneself.
  

As members of our Conference community, we ask that you support our process by letting a member of TCG staff and/or Conference team know if you recognize ways in which any of these conditions are not present in Miami.

We will do our best to support you while you’re with us, individually and collectively, and we hope you feel inspired to take some of what you learn back to your organizations and communities. 

TCG designs our Conference with the belief that in this space, like in theatre, everyone has a role to play. We encourage you to engage rather than disengage. We ask that you honor and defer to the lived experiences of your fellow Conference-goers. We urge you to participate in all discussions in the spirit of openness, compassion, and generosity.  

Thank you for joining us. We’re glad you’re here.

ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY

TCG is working to provide a safe, inclusive, and welcoming National Conference experience for everyone. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination in any form in our Conference spaces. While TCG generally advocates for “call-in cultures” (gently disrupting moments of injury when they occur) to address microaggressions and avoid punitive approaches to conflict resolution, we believe a reporting system – outlined below – is necessary to ensure safe spaces at the Conference. If a participant engages in harassing or discriminatory behavior, the TCG Conference team retains the right to take actions that are also outlined below. Participants who are asked by TCG staff to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. For the security and safety of all, TCG Conference badges must be worn at all times by all registered participants.

For TCG’s definitions of discrimination and harassment please see our Definitions addendum.

Reporting at the Conference

The TCG Conference team may take action to redress behavior intended to disrupt the Conference or make the environment hostile for any participants. We ask participants to consider their behavior at all Conference-related venues and social activities, including any events hosted by the Miami host committee.

If you are being harassed by a TCG Conference participant, employee, exhibitor, contractor or other third-party, or notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, you are encouraged to report it by one of the avenues listed below, either anonymously or with attribution.

Anonymous Report
You can make an anonymous or attributed report here. We can't follow up an anonymous report with you directly, but we will look into it as thoroughly as possible and take whatever action is necessary to prevent a recurrence.

You may also anonymously text the Conference support line: (305) 363-7675 TCG’s Community Team, listed below, will coordinate an immediate response, and someone will get right back to you. It will be your choice as to whether you provide your name, and set a time to allow the Community Team member to follow up with you in person.

Personal Report
You can make a personal report by texting the above support line, and offering your name to the Community Team, one of who may ask you to sit down with them so they may take your report from you personally.

When taking a personal report, our Community Team member will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard. While keeping you informed, they may involve other TCG staff to ensure your report is managed properly. Once in private, we'll ask you to tell us about what happened. This can be upsetting, but we'll handle it respectfully, you can bring someone to support you, and you won't be asked to confront anyone.

All complaints will be kept confidential to the extent possible, but confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

Reporting Need-to-Knows

• For any actions taken by TCG to address the issue, we will seek the consent of the reporter. However, TCG retains the discretion to take all necessary action called for under the circumstances.
• Before any action is taken, to the extent possible, the report will be shared with the members of the TCG Community Team listed below, and with TCG leadership (Teresa Eyring and Adrian Budhu).
• TCG reserves the right to take any level of action we believe is appropriate, depending on the particular circumstances of each report.
• Any actions taken will be shared with the reporter upon their completion to the extent that TCG is able to do so.
  
  

TCG strictly prohibits any type of retaliation against an individual who in good faith raises a complaint or concern regarding unlawful discrimination or harassment, otherwise opposes unlawful discrimination or harassment, or reports a violation of these policies or participates in any investigation concerning a reported violation.

Please be aware, TCG and our Community Team will not be equipped to provide counseling, retribution, or emotional support other than being sensitive to the situation while taking an account of what happened. Our team will be happy to help you contact hotel security (should this occur at the Hyatt), local law enforcement, local support services, provide volunteer escorts, or otherwise assist you to feel as safe as possible for the duration of the event. We value your attendance.

Potential Actions

Actions can include (but are not limited to):

• facilitating a dialogue with the parties;
• offering a non-attributed warning about the problematic behavior;
• requiring the perpetrator to leave the Conference at their expense;
• allowing the perpetrator to remain at the Conference on a “no contact” condition with the reporter;
• limiting access to TCG supported events in the future;
• and, if necessary, alerting law enforcement of criminal behavior.

Direct Contact Information

TCG Community Team (all members of TCG staff):

Devon Berkshire | dberkshire@tcg.org, cell 917-623-9867 (she/her)

Hannah Fenlon | hfenlon@tcg.org, cell 765-721-0838 (she/her)

Elena Chang | echang@tcg.org (she/her)

Russ Dembin | rdembin@tcg.org (he/his)
Corinna Schulenburg | gschulenburg@tcg.org (she/her)

Emilya Cachapero | ecachapero@tcg.org (she/her)

Annabel Guevara | aguevara@tcg.org (she/her)

Resources

Find a complete list of local and national support resources HERE, including law enforcement, hotlines, medical facilities, transportation options, and TCG’s comprehensive resource guide on our website.

Addenda

• TCG Definitions of Harassment and Discrimination
• Local and National Support Resources