EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION POLICY

Throughout this policy the term ‘participants’ will be used to describe all volunteers, staff, artists, audience members, and other people who engage with Gladstone Theatre in the Park and its work.

Policy Statement

Gladstone Theatre in the Park celebrates and values diversity – in people, creativity, and thought. We are committed to creating an environment where all participants are treated with respect and dignity. Anything which endangers this approach has no place within Gladstone Theatre in the Park’s culture.

Objectives of this Policy

Gladstone Theatre in the Park will promote:

A culture which values diversity, inclusiveness, and respect, and empowers all participants to reflect those values in all their dealings
A reputation for openness and accessibility
Equality of opportunity for all
A workplace where people are treated with dignity and respect and valued for who they are and the contribution they make to the organization, and in which no participant experiences unlawful or unfair discrimination.
Active opposition to all forms of unfair and unlawful discrimination, bullying and harassment

Responsibilities
We recognize the importance of not discriminating against others on the basis of their age, ethnic origin, race, nationality, membership of a national minority, culture, language, religious faith or affiliation or lack thereof, political affiliation or opinions or lack thereof, sex, gender, gender identity, sexuality, sexual orientation, marital status, caring or parental responsibilities, illness, ability or disability, mental health status, medical condition, physical appearance, genetic features, parentage, descent, socio-economic background, employment status, spent or irrelevant criminal convictions or any other irrelevant distinction. Upholding and embodying this Policy is the responsibility of everyone in the Gladstone Theatre in the Park community, regardless of background, experience or position.
All participants are expected:

To play an active part in the implementation of this Policy
Never to infringe on the rights of others through their behavior, the way they treat others, and the language that they use.
To challenge unacceptable language and behavior when it is seen
Not to unlawfully or unfairly discriminate against other participants
Not to encourage, instruct, or pressurize other participants to unlawfully discriminate
Not to harass, bully, abuse or intimidate other participants
To cooperate with all measures by Gladstone Theatre in the Park to promote and implement equal opportunities

Rights of participants
This Policy provides rights for our participants:

The right to be treated fairly at all times
The right to challenge any unfair barriers, to have the challenge considered seriously, and reasonable action to be taken by Gladstone Theatre in the Park to remove the barrier
The right to be valued and respected as an individual
The right to be treated with respect and consideration in observing their religious and
cultural tradition and practices
The right to receive full support from Gladstone Theatre in the Park should they need to raise any concerns or challenge any unacceptable behavior

Casting
Gladstone Theatre in the Park’s policy is centred on casting the very best actors for each role. Our team of directors are committed to racial, cultural and artistic diversity and they embrace our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy at all times. Gladstone Theatre in the Park values diversity in race, disability, gender, sexuality, socio-economic background, faith and age, casting will start from this position and always be open and neutral. Everyone is welcome and warmly encouraged to attend auditions. If specific race/ethnicity or other characteristics are central to the story, we will make this clear in audition notices. There is no pre-casting under any circumstances. The Policy will be communicated to all directors and auditioners.

Public profile
Gladstone Theatre in the Park will announce in all the usual channels its commitment to diversity and the endorsement of this Policy. In future, all marketing, PR, audition notices, and other public communications will be reviewed to reflect this Policy.