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An oasis for those who love classic stories. Los Angeles Times

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility

We as a theatre company have seen first-hand the profound impact of storytelling in fostering empathy, deepening understanding, and affirming the shared humanity of all. Guided by this belief, we recognize the importance of our stage to serve as a platform for amplifying classic narratives from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and voices. Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) initiatives remains steadfast, reflecting our dedication to fostering an inclusive environment where every story is honored and every voice is heard.

Organizational EDIA Structure

A Noise Within’s Board of Directors recognized the need for expanding discussion and action around equity, diversity, and inclusion. The EDIA Forum comprises the staff of ANW who are actively engaged in day-to-day operations, rehearsals, interacting with patrons and customers, selecting and liaising with vendors, conducting outreach, fostering school relationships, coordinating with teachers, engaging with students, overseeing camp activities, and supervising contractors.

EDIA Goals and Priorities

The EDIA Forum has collaboratively formulated the following objectives. Primarily, the group aims to tailor EDIA initiatives to address the specific needs and hurdles encountered within ANW. The following four pillars outline the focal points:

 

1. How we treat our community.

  • Provide targeted training tailored to equip both staff and artists with the necessary resources to effectively address current issues experienced within our theatre environment.
    • Implement training programs aimed at supporting artists in navigating and disengaging (de-roleing) from emotionally taxing narratives portrayed on stage, facilitating a healthy separation from the portrayed trauma.
    • Develop strategies and techniques for de-escalating conflicts with members of the public, particularly addressing instances where patrons may express dissenting opinions regarding play selections or events such as Black Out Night, ensuring responses are respectful and reflective of ANW values.
  • Create integration opportunities by organizing gatherings where staff, board members, and Resident Artists to convene, strengthening the company’s core values and fostering collaborative partnerships within the community.
  • Offer professional development opportunities for BIPOC members of our staff to enhance skills and knowledge. These initiatives are geared towards empowering individuals to bring back newfound expertise and insights to the company, fostering personal growth and facilitating career advancement within ANW.
  • Engage intimacy coordinators for each show or on-call throughout the season as required. Additionally, establish cultural coordinators who are available for productions that address race or where racial dynamics emerge in the rehearsal space.
  • Expand avenues of communication within ANW by introducing post-mortem production discussions and post-show anonymous surveys for artists.

 

2. How we communicate our values.

  • Create full company orientations at the onset of each season, as well as at the commencement of every first rehearsal. Additionally, create video recordings of these orientations to ensure absent designers can access the information, thereby ensuring all members understand our values and procedures. These orientations, developed collaboratively by staff and artists, are inspired by the “Not in Our House” theatre standards adopted by numerous LORT companies across the United States. They underscore a commitment to fostering a working environment characterized by clear understanding and zero tolerance for racism and sexual harassment.
  • Require Ambassador video training on bias for all volunteers and ushers. This video will serve as an essential training tool, helping to increase awareness of biases and promoting a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all patrons and visitors.
  • Engage artists and staff to pledge to each other, during the first rehearsal gathering of each season, to collaborate in fostering a safe environment where speaking up is encouraged. This pledge emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive and respectful workplace and welcomes reminders from anyone to uphold these standards.  
  • Reflect the diversity of our community across all facets of our organization, including casting, designers, staff, board members, and Resident Artist company.
  • Incorporate our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility values into our season announcement – explaining the intrinsic connection between the selected plays and our organizational values.

 

3. How we recruit our community members.

  • Establish an assistant designer and director program tailored for BIPOC emerging artists, providing them with opportunities to shadow and collaborate closely with our seasoned professionals on productions.
  • Allocate funds to advertise new positions in locations that have greatest potential to attract a diverse pool of candidates for both employee positions and potential cast members.
  • Work with recruiters for senior staff positions who have a track record and expertise in placing BIPOC executives.
  • Ensure BIPOC finalists for staff positions by extending the duration of job postings to allow ample time for outreach to the entire community.
  • Conduct exit interviews for departing staff.
  • Utilize inclusive language in job postings and casting notices to actively encourage BIPOC participation in the search process
  • Attend in-person events and job fairs to recruit diverse candidates.
  • Expand board diversity by engaging with service organizations and foundations dedicated to recruiting potential BIPOC board members.
  • Ensure casting diversity by contracting additional casting associates with expertise in the BIPOC acting community in our region as needed.
  • Ensure organic relationships with communities by actively inviting all constituent groups to attend our productions. Instead of limiting invitations to specific communities based on the themes of the production, we will ensure that everyone feels welcome at all our shows. Additionally, we will create events and opportunities specifically tailored to diverse communities, making our productions and programs accessible and inclusive to all.
  • Deepen our Indigenous relations by strengthening our ties to regional tribes and engaging these communities in our productions and education programs. Additionally, we will refine our land acknowledgment statement in consultation with Indigenous communities to accurately reflect their history, culture, and ongoing contributions to the land on which we operate.

 

4. How we ensure access to the entire community.

  • Continue to diversify the Resident Artist community.
  • Continue Pay What You Choose performances.
  • Create an Industry Night where all members of the entertainment community can access our productions at a self-selected low cost.
  • Further promote our Teen Tix and Student Rush programs to widen our messaging to ensure communication to BIPOC students.
  • Enhance our visibility and create a more inclusive atmosphere for young people beyond educators.
  • Research the expenses associated with installing automated bathroom doors and achieving 100% stage accessibility to accommodate actors or guests with disabilities. Additionally, explore funding opportunities to support these accessibility enhancements, ensuring equal access and inclusion for all individuals.

 

A Noise Within EDIA Progress Numbers 2022-23

  • During the fiscal year ending 2023, ANW employed a total of 150 individuals in various roles including actors, understudies, stage managers, directors, and designers. Of these artists, 56% identified as BIPOC.
  • In the 2022-23 season, 83% of our stage directors identified as BIPOC. Additionally, two out of five productions depicted the BIPOC experience, and two of our playwrights were BIPOC. Furthermore, one additional playwright was a woman.
  • At the beginning of the fiscal year ending in 2024, and presently, the 19 full-time administrative and production staff members comprise 56% BIPOC individuals.
  • Throughout the 2022-23 season, our audience consisted of 22% BIPOC patrons on average. The highest proportion of BIPOC audience members, comprising 29% of attendees, was recorded during the production of A Christmas Carol.
  • In the 2022-23 term, the Board of Directors comprised 35% BIPOC members. The board consisted of nine men and eleven women.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that A Noise Within is located on the traditional homelands of the Kizh, Tongva, and Gabrielino people. We also recognize their neighbors in the region: the Tataviam and Chumash people. A Noise Within is committed to developing an authentic relationship with this land and its Indigenous inhabitants.

Accessibility

Elevator/Building Accessibility

Our main elevator is located on our main floor, next to the lobby entrance, and is available to patrons who need mobility assistance. To access the front row of the seating area for our mainstage performances, the House Manager or Head Usher will accompany you down to this level.

To access our restrooms, they are located down the hallway to the right of our main entrance in the lobby. There are wheelchair-accessible stalls in each of the restrooms.

Currently, none of our doors are automatic. If you require assistance opening doors, please notify our House Manager or Ushers during your visit.

At A Noise Within, gender diversity is welcome here. Please choose to use the restroom that best fits your identity.

Wheelchair Accessibility

All areas of A Noise Within are accessible by wheelchair. For easiest access to the theater, we suggest being dropped off in the turn-around, directly in front of the theater. Another option is to park for free in the Metro Gold Line Parking Structure, take the elevator to the ground floor, and follow the walkway ramp to our main entrance. If you have any questions or concerns, or feel that the walkway will not be possible for you, please reach out to the Box Office at (626) 356-3121 or boxoffice@anoisewithin.org in advance of your visit and we will find an option that will work for you.

We have ADA-compliant wheelchair and companion seats available in the theater. Patrons who prefer to remain in their wheelchair should contact the box office in advance to confirm their seating.

For lift access to our Founder’s Balcony, Stage, or lower audience level, please contact the house manager or usher to assist you in this process.

Personal Accessibility Devices

We encourage patrons to bring and use their personal accessibility devices during their visit. To ensure a safe and accessible environment for everyone, it is essential to keep the aisleways clear. When not in use, we ask that you keep your device close to your seat, allowing ample space for passage. In the event a clear path can’t be made, an usher will assist you in storing your device safely during the performance.

Patrons are also encouraged to bring and use personal closed caption devices if needed. To ensure a wonderful experience for yourself and others, please adjust the device’s screen to be positioned at eye level and does not obstruct the view of other audience members and to a brightness level that is appropriate for all.

GalaPro

Thanks to the generosity of the Perenchio Foundation, ANW is thrilled to be rolling out a new service for patrons who would benefit from access to closed captions of our live performance. The GalaPro app (available on iOS and Android devices) provides closed captions for patrons to view on their own mobile devices. 90% of Broadway theatres are using GalaPro, and A Noise Within is delighted to be the first regional theatre in Southern California to provide this service! GalaPro operates on a closed internal network via “Airplane Mode” and prevents sounds, texts and emails from disturbing patrons during use. We encourage patrons who could benefit from the GalaPro closed captioning to follow the instructions provided here to install this app on their smart phones.

If patrons are unable to access this service on their phone or tablet, the theatre will have a limited number of mobile devices designated for GalaPro performances.

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Assisted Listening Devices

Assisted Listening Devices (ALDs) amplify sound. ALDS are distributed free-of-charge on a first-come, first-served basis. To obtain an ALD, please see an usher when you arrive at A Noise Within. Sanitized headphones (1/8 inch headphone jack) are provided, however, please feel free to bring your own headphones if you wish.

T Coil Transmitter

T Coil Neck loops are available for use during all of our productions. If your device is equipped with this feature, switch your hearing aid or cochlear implant to the “T,” telephone, or hearing loop program. To obtain a neck loop, please see an usher for assistance.

Relaxed Performances

In an effort to provide all members of our community with the opportunity to come enjoy classical theatre, A Noise Within is offers Relaxed Performances for A Christmas Carol in December. Relaxed Performances provide an inviting environment for those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Developmental Delay, Neuromuscular Disorder, Sensory Integrative Dysfunction, Attention Deficit Disorder and Disorders of Social Interaction and Communication. Learn more about Relaxed Performances.

ANW EDIA Incident Reporting Portal

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