Towards Reconciliation and Reform

Dear DMV Theater Community:

A few weeks ago, we publicly committed to dedicating time and resources to reflect internally, listen to each other and our constituencies, and to identify anti-racist/anti-oppressive action we can take to make our organization and the communities we live in and serve more welcoming and safe for all.

In light of recent events at Serenbe Playhouse in Atlanta, GA, and Flying V Theatre and Signature Theatre in our region, Synetic Theater would like to elaborate on this commitment by taking action as an organization to further the urgent work of reconciliation and reform.

Over the last year, we have formalized a conflict resolution and incident reporting process, affirmed and acted on our anti-harassment policies, supplied health and safety equipment in the rehearsal room and on stage, and hired understudies for all roles to ensure that everyone feels comfortable resting when they need to.

We recognize that there is room to expand upon these efforts. Three weeks ago, we began convening our cross-identity, cross-stakeholder Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access Task Force to lead this work going forward, and last week we hosted our first round of affinity groups to provide a safe space for intra-group dialogue. Soon we will be conducting an organizational assessment, and we will be looking for ways to build in the recommendations from that assessment into our new strategic plan.

We ask Syneticons past and present to participate in the ongoing and open dialogue necessary to make our beloved company stronger than ever and joyful for all; if you’re not already tapped in to this conversation, email hr@synetictheater.org to be looped in. We have a diverse slate of Synetic stakeholders ready to listen and respond.

We would love to be in dialogue with other DMV theaters and our freelance artist/technician community about this work as well; we’ve joined theatreWashington’s Antiracism Working Group, and we’re specifically seeking an accountability partner in a peer organization who is also doing this work.

Sincerely,

Co-Artistic Directors Paata & Irina Tsikurishvili
Managing Director Jason Najjoum
Finance and HR Manager Carol Wells
Board Chair Rick Hardy
Board Treasurer Allison Foster Ruckh