Bombshell Theatre's Diversity Advocacy

OUR COMMITMENT

At Bombshell Theatre Company, we recognize that our past efforts have not always reflected the level of intentionality and consistency required to build a more inclusive and representative theatre. While we have taken meaningful steps to create safe and supportive environments—particularly through our work in intimacy advocacy—we acknowledge that our efforts toward diversity and inclusion have not reflected the level of intentionality and consistency it needs to be.

We believe this must change, and we are committed to doing better. We are at the beginning of this work, and we recognize that meaningful change will require sustained effort, accountability, and time.

This commitment includes increasing inclusion across a broad range of identities and lived experiences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and other historically underrepresented communities.

We recognize that meaningful progress is measured over time, not in a single production. Our goals are designed to guide our work over time, allowing us to make thoughtful, measurable progress while continuing to uphold the artistic standards and storytelling that define Bombshell Theatre. This work is ongoing, and we recognize that our approach will continue to evolve as we learn, listen, and grow.

OUR ACTION PLAN

Note: These commitments represent the initial framework established by our Diversity Committee. As we continue this work, we will develop clear benchmarks and track measurable progress over time, sharing updates as our efforts evolve.

Expanding Access & Strengthening the Pipeline

We recognize that one of the greatest challenges in building more representative productions is access—who is aware of opportunities, who feels encouraged to participate, and who has had the resources to develop their craft.

We commit to:

Actively building and maintaining relationships with local colleges, universities, and training programs to expand awareness of audition, technical, and production opportunities.
Expanding outreach by sharing auditions and opportunities with community-based and cultural organizations, as well as new and non-traditional networks
Increasing visibility of audition opportunities beyond our existing channels to reach a broader and more diverse pool of performers
We are committed to ensuring that a broad and diverse range of artists are considered across casting, technical, and production roles whenever possible.
Introducing scholarship opportunities within our youth programming to help reduce financial barriers and expand access to arts education

Creating Safe, Respectful, and Supportive Environments

We believe that inclusion is not only about who is in the room, but how people are treated once they are there and whether they feel respected, supported, and able to fully participate.

We commit to:

Continuing our established practice of consent-based rehearsal processes, including training for all casts and production teams
Maintaining the role of a Resident Intimacy Director and integrating consent-forward practices into our productions
Providing a designated point of contact outside of the production team for individuals to raise concerns related to safety, inclusion, or personal boundaries

Accountability, Feedback, and Ongoing Evaluation

We recognize that this work will continue to evolve, and we remain committed to learning, adapting, and improving over time.

We commit to:

Conducting anonymous surveys of past performers and production team members, as well as following each production moving forward, to gather feedback on experiences related to inclusion, safety, and accessibility
Maintaining internal records to better understand trends in participation and representation over time, with all demographic information collected voluntarily and with consent
Continuing the work of our Diversity Committee to review practices, evaluate progress, and guide future efforts

Accessibility & Transparency

We recognize that accessibility is an essential part of inclusion, and that our current space presents limitations—particularly due to the lack of elevator access in our current venue.

We believe it is important to be transparent about these limitations rather than overlook them.

We commit to:

Clearly communicating accessibility information and any physical limitations for each production so individuals can make informed decisions
Offering accommodations where possible and working directly with individuals to support participation when we are able
Continuing to explore long-term solutions and opportunities to improve accessibility within our resources
We will make reasonable efforts to provide ASL interpretation for performances when requested in advance. To help ensure availability, we ask that requests be submitted with as much notice as possible, ideally at least 3–4 weeks prior to the performance.

ARTISTIC CONTEXT & RESPONSIBILITY

As a company dedicated to producing rarely told stories, we recognize that occasionally some material reflects the time in which it was created and may include perspectives or portrayals that do not align with our values today.

We are committed to thoughtful and responsible storytelling. While occasional works may contain elements that reflect historical biases, these do not represent the core values of Bombshell Theatre Company. We believe in presenting this material with context, care, and a commitment to responsible engagement, because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed. We will always consult our Diversity Committee in these situations.