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Get Certified In Our Proven Framework
Be a part of the change you want to see and join the first generation of production-specific Inclusion Consultants in the theater & entertainment industry...
Be a part of the change you want to see and join the first generation of production-specific Inclusion Consultants in the theater & entertainment industry. Through the tried-and-true STAGES curriculum, gain the skills, knowledge & certification needed to do this crucial work.
Join an Impactful Network & Community
Our community is all about curiosity, connection, and meaningful, compassionate conversation that leads to lasting, systemic change for our industry...
Our community is all about curiosity, connection, and meaningful, compassionate conversation that leads to lasting, systemic change for our industry. Join in the conversation with our podcast, and stay tuned for more information about our upcoming membership program.
Become an Industry Leader in Workplace Culture
Our world, and our industry, is shifting. And the diverse artistic workforce cares more about workplace culture, trust and well-being than any other employee benefit...
Our world, and our industry, is shifting. And the diverse artistic workforce cares more about workplace culture, trust and well-being than any other employee benefit. It’s time for our industry to play catch up and start meaningfully investing in rehearsal and performance culture. As a leader, you can be at the forefront of this crucial work.
Gain Access to Exclusive Resources & Tools
This is your hub to help you put your equity, diversity & inclusion missions to practice in your rehearsal and performance spaces...
This is your hub to help you put your equity, diversity & inclusion missions to practice in your rehearsal and performance spaces. Equip your spaces with the support needed to engage in difficult conversations, unite diverse groups of creatives around different stories & common goals, and invest in workplace well-being.
"It was a joy to work with Kira as we developed a new musical. She led a warm, yet frank and open process which allowed our creative team and cast to challenge one another in a brave environment. The work was positively impacted for all time by her presence on the project."
Donna Lynn Hilton, Artistic Director, Goodspeed Musicals
The Impacts in the
Performing & Entertainment Industries
Entertainment workers are 3x more likely to experience mental illness
“According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health), 1 in 5 adults will experience or have experienced a mental health struggle. In 2019, this represented 19.1% of U.S. adults – that is to say about 47.6 million living with a mental illness. Now, triple that number. Individuals working in the entertainment industry — actors, musicians, stage production, roadies — those in front of and behind the set/stage — are approximately three times more likely to struggle with mental health challenges.” – Harbor Mental Health
Company Culture is the #1 factor for overall employee satisfaction
“Compensation attracts, culture retains. Across all sectors, compensation and benefits play a relatively small role as a differentiator of employee satisfaction. But does this mean that employees don’t care about how much money they’re making or the benefits they receive at work? Absolutely not. This signals that differences in company workplace culture plays a larger role in determining day-to-day job satisfaction than differences in salaries. While compensation and benefits may attract employees to a job, a company’s culture retains them.” — Glassdoor
Psychological safety is a top 3 value among employees in today’s workforce
“Psychological safety is one of the three things employees value most in today’s workplace (84%), beat by regular pay raises (86%) and followed by flexible work (83%). In other words, more than 8 in 10 employees consider psychological safety one of the most valued aspects of the workplace.” — Oyster HR
Lack of inclusion work impacts underrepresented demographics
“According to the APA’s 2023 Work in America Survey, more females (23%) reported a toxic workplace than males (15%). More people living with a disability (26%) reported a toxic workplace than those without a disability (16%). Those in upper management were much less likely to report a toxic workplace (9%) than those in middle management (21%), and front-line workers (26%). [...] This speaks to the need of leaders and employees alike to explore and expand their awareness and understanding of the diverse experiences. […] It’s one thing to hire people from diverse backgrounds. It’s a whole other thing to ensure there is an inclusive environment on the team that celebrates and invites different perspectives, skills and approaches to the job.” — Forbes
“Human Resources” are scarce, or more often, completely missing
“The potential implications of having no HR [...] could damage both the organization and the well-being and productivity of its employees. [...] HR is also widely responsible for developing and promoting a company's culture and keeping employees engaged with it. [...] It's clear having no HR could leave employees feeling unsupported..” – Forbes "It is not acknowledged that there is not trained HR support on most Broadway shows or at many regional theatres. It doesn’t often exist. And then we see inappropriate behavior and harassing workplaces. And cultures that aren’t inclusive or safe.” —Kit Ingui, Managing Director of Long What Theatre
Britain has started embracing production “well-being facilitators”
“Since 2021, the British Film Institute has underwritten a program that funds “well-being facilitators,” who advise productions on stress and mental health issues, and that helps implement industry guidelines to prevent bullying, harassment and racism. Well-being facilitators are not therapists, but they can refer crew members to qualified psychotherapists, mediate disputes and coach newly promoted crew members or those supervising a team for the first time. So far, there is little of anything comparable in the U.S.” — LA Times
There’s a wariness about asking for anything and not stepping on anyone’s toes. After talking to Kira, I felt my shoulders relax
Melory Mirashrafi, Director
Have you registered yet? Join the cohort that will completely reshape the future of the theater and entertainment industry!
The work of 'Inclusive Stages' is not just to dismantle the existing structure of theater and the entertainment Industry -- it is to keep the arts thriving while breaking down inequitable systems and caring for creatives, one stage at a time.