Dallas Theater Center will engage, entertain, and inspire our diverse community by creating experiences that stimulate new ways of thinking and living. We will do this by consistently producing plays, educational programs, and other initiatives that are of the highest quality and reach the broadest possible constituency.
AFFINITY GROUPS
Affinity group activities should lean into Dallas Theater Center’s goal to become “the best place to work for theater-related talent (artistic, production, administrative) in North Texas,” by retaining the best talent, promoting leadership and development and providing internal support for staff while encouraging equity, diversity and inclusion in every department and all levels.
At Dallas Theater Center, the purpose of affinity groups is to provide a safe and brave space for full and part-time staff (including our Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company members and Playwright in Residence) to gather around common interests and values supporting Dallas Theater Center’s equity, diversity and inclusion business objectives.
INTERSECTIONALITY was advanced by Kimberlé Crenshaw for women of color, arguing that classifications, such as gender, race, class and others cannot be examined in isolation from one another; they interact and intersect in individual lives, in society, and in social systems. Acknowledging [one’s] multiple identities helps to understand ways a person may experience privilege, oppression, and a myriad of life’s realities.
CULTURE is a social system of meaning and custom that is developed by a group of people to assure adaptation and survival. Cultural groups are distinguished by a set of unspoken rules that shape values, beliefs, habits, patterns of thinking, behaviors and styles of communication.
As DTC’s executive leadership, Kevin Moriarty, Enloe/Rose Artistic Director, and Jeff Woodward, Managing Director fully support the formation of affinity groups at Dallas Theater Center (DTC). Affinity groups are able to meet during work hours and at a DTC campus location.
Directors and hiring managers should accommodate staff interested in forming, leading, and/or participating in an affinity group provided required business responsibilities can be appropriately managed to permit such participation.
DTC’s EDI Committee (EDIC) will provide direct support to properly approved affinity groups in an advisory and approval capacity. Support may include:
Affinity groups agree to adhere to DTC policies as outlined and discussed in the Employee Handbook. Questions about policies should be directed to the Director of People Operations.
Groups are required to submit a meeting report to edicommittee@dallastheatercenter.org within 7 business days after each meeting and include the following information:
Affinity groups (AGs) agree to adhere to policies as outlined and discussed in our Employee Handbook.
Respect / Good Faith
Participation and Mindfulness:
Group Formation
Each affinity group will complete and submit an application to the EDI Committee (edicommitee@dallastheatercenter.org) for approval before the group’s first meeting. The application will include a purpose statement and identify a group leader or co-leaders responsible for the group. As a reminder, Affinity Group membership is open to all currently employed DTC employees. Members supporting the equity, diversity and inclusion business objectives of a particular Affinity Group and complying with DTC’s policies and procedures in support of such objectives are welcomed to participate in its activities. – Affinity groups are open to full and part time staff only as indicated on page 4 – At minimum of 3 people is needed to form a group. – A staff person can lead or co-lead only one affinity group per fiscal year – Staff may participate in one affinity group during the pilot year – Staff can attend meetings as long as they meet the criteria of the group as defined by the AG and properly approved by the EDI Committee.
Meetings
Dissolution of Group or Removal of Member Executive leadership and/or EDI Committee may suspend or end an affinity group or remove a member from a group if a DTC policy is violated. Executive leadership will be the final decision-maker regarding the suspension or ending of an affinity group or suspension or removal of a member.
Handling Concerns, Issues or Problems
At times, affinity groups will discover concerns, problems, or issues related to AG guidelines and Company policy(ies) and practice(s). The following process offers the group or a member of the group options for communicating an issue.
DTC is dedicated to fully supporting its affinity groups. As space is limited, space will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis. If a group is unable to secure a room at any of DTC locations, contact People Operations Director.
Booking Space at a DTC Campus
The affinity group leader or co-leader will provide the meeting date, time, top three space choices, and room set-up to edicommittee@dallastheatercenter.org. EDI committee member(s) with access to ArtsVision may be able to reserve space for the group at a DTC location.
DTC CAMPUS SPACES
DEE AND CHARLES WYLY THEATRE
KALITA HUMPHREYS THEATER
POTTER PRODUCTION STUDIO
Suggestions
Forms (click the name of the form to access)
Additional Resources