DECEMBER UPDATE from Rebecca KellyG
Hello EST,
Wishing you all grounding and joy this November! In this newsletter, you will find information on:
1. Survey 2 Leadership and Power
2. Focus Groups
3. Food for Thought
4. Reminder - Phases of the Process
1. Survey II
Last week, you should have received Part 2 of the Racial Equity & Justice Survey for Ensemble Studio Theatre: Leadership and Power. So far, we’ve already received responses from almost 100 members of the community! If you’ve already completed the survey, thank you so much for contributing your perspectives and experiences. If you haven’t had a chance to complete it yet, you still have time! The survey will be open until Tuesday, December 1st at 11:59pm EST. Your views are essential to this process being holistic and equitable, so we hope to hear from you!
The response to Survey 1 was incredible and extremely fruitful! We heard from over 200 of you offering your experiences and insight for EST culture. Thank you for your participation and let’s keep it up!
2. Focus Groups
What is the purpose of a focus group?
A guided zoom discussion organized to 1) gain deeper feedback pertaining to equity in EST culture and community and 2) engage in collective visioning for leadership. Information and insights gathered from these sessions will be used to inform strategies for moving forward.
How long will they last?
Each session will last 2.5 hours
What will we cover?
Each 2.5-hour session takes place over zoom with 1 hour dedicated to equity in EST culture and 1.5 hour dedicated to visions for leadership and institutional change.
What Focus Groups are available?
The final focus groups below were determined based on feedback and requests from the community. These groups are not intended to be representative of all the identities within EST. Additionally, please note that while the identity-based groups are organized around a particular facet of self, the dialogue will be intentionally structured to account for intersectionality, and each person is encouraged to bring their full selves to the sessions. You also may sign up for more than one group.
If you signed up for a group listed below already, we have your information stored.
Click the link of the group name to register by November 30th:
This group is for people in the EST community who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or Person of Color (BIPOC)
This group is for people in the EST community who identify as women.
This group is for members of the EST community who are 30 years of age or younger
This group is for members of the EST community who are 50 years of age or older.
This group is for members of the EST community who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and others along this spectrum.
If you have a problem with the registration link or a question about Focus Groups please email me at Rebecca@rebeccakellyg.com and cc Yejin Lee, Yejin@rebeccakellyg.com
3. Food for Thought
This month, I’m sharing an episode of The Dramatist Guild’s TalkBack, a podcast about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the theater. In this episode, two writers and advocates, Georgia Stitt and EST Member Artist Lloyd Suh, talk about who is granted access to being considered for jobs in the theater industry and why. You’ll hear their theories on why the pipeline is perpetuated, whose stories are being told, and how musicians, composers, and playwrights can make a more welcoming space for all.
Listen and consider how this may apply to EST and what ideas it inspires or affirms for you!
4. Reminder - Phases of the Process
Until next month,
Rebecca KellyG