Reviewed January 2025

FESTIVAL PURPOSE

We spark human imagination through the art of live theatre.

Recognizing that…

The most potent art is inclusive.

True inclusivity requires empathy.

True empathy requires imagination.

FESTIVAL VALUES

To be inclusive – A barrier-free festival that is inviting and accessible to everyone.

To be innovative – An approach that is original, inventive and evocative.

To be rigorous – We continually challenge ourselves to learn; to seek broad input; to evolve; and to bring thoughtfulness to our processes as we strive to do our best work.

To care – We understand that each person – whether working for or attending the Festival – has individual needs for which we should show empathy and respect.

To connect – We reflect the human condition in a manner that inspires contemporary conversation.

We invite all members of the Festival to bring these values into your workspaces, whether that be the office, the backstage, the lobby or the rehearsal hall. 

FESTIVAL COMMITMENT

The Stratford Festival aspires to be a source of joy, understanding and beauty. We believe that in creating art we can somehow make the world a better place. We don’t always know how that happens, and that’s a good thing. We might be changing minds, growing empathy, provoking hard conversations, challenging belief systems, exploring the depths of the human condition, inspiring awe or just offering the joy of escape. We believe our impact can be both collective and individual and both are valuable and valid.

While talent and hard work will always be critical to achieving our goals, they will not succeed if they share space with racism and other forms of oppression, exclusion and exploitation.

The work of anti-oppression and anti-racism must take place in the hearts and minds of everyone in the Festival community but also in our policies and systems. Together we must build a space of greater inclusion. We must envision a better way forward and put it into action.

This work is essential. It is about art. It is about community. But it is also about justice. It is about honouring, valuing and celebrating staff and artists from equity-deserving groups who come to the Stratford Festival to share their talents and stories.

We take responsibility for our past failings and share a commitment to creating an atmosphere that enables all of us to do our best work. We believe in continuously evolving our understanding of equity, inclusion and anti-racism, acknowledging that this work is an ongoing journey.

Thank you,

-Antoni and Anita