MISSION, Vision & Values

MISSION

We create courageous, potent theater that challenges, entertains, and sparks expansive conversation.

VISION

To be rooted in our neighborhood, indispensable to our communities, and influential to the future of our field.

VALUES

Stories are important.

Artistic excellence is a habit of care and attention.

A play isn't complete without an audience.

A great theater values its people.

Our work is play.

To our Jungle Theater Community:

We have been re-examining our #1 value: 

Because we believe in the power of live theater to interrogate and celebrate our shared experience, we create work that helps our audience make meaning of the world and deepen connections with each other.

Before the Jungle can celebrate in any shared experience we must first interrogate our own roots. We must look at who we are now and look to where we want to be in the future, so we can more fully live our mission to create courageous, resonant theater that challenges, entertains, and sparks expansive conversation.   

We must commit to actions, not just statements of solidarity. We are a predominantly white organization and we want to do the work to dismantle white supremacy and racism in all its forms. In the past we have sought diversity in our casting and in our selection of plays, but we have failed to incorporate that same representation in our staff and board, and at times we have failed to create an environment that felt safe and respectful for all. 

This is a time of transition and transformation in our community. We are looking to to make the world safer, not only in response to the pandemic of COVID-19, but the ongoing pandemic of racist violence and oppression. 

As we rebuild the theater’s operations in this current time, we are listening to the voices of our community to make the Jungle a better place for everyone: on our staff and board, onstage and backstage, and in the audience. We’ll work especially hard to improve the quantity and quality of our connections with BIPOC and transgender communities, as well as people with disabilities and people with families. We commit to:

• Anti-Racist training for Jungle staff and board, paired with the commitment to ongoing conversations and financial investment to continue the work. 

• Create new ways to spotlight marginalized voices beyond casting and play selection

• Increase BIPOC representation on the staff and board by incorporating more inclusive recruitment and retention methods, seeking outside guidance for assistance.

• Do an internal wage and vendor audit to be sure we’re spending our money in ways that support our values; 

We are committed to doing the work and we do not pretend that we have all the answers. We are beginning on this journey, and we invite our audience, our supporters, and our peers to keep us accountable.