Mission, Vision and More

Mission

“Connecting You to Opportunities in Theatre Nationwide”

Vision

“SETC is the strongest and broadest network of theatre practitioners in the United States. We provide extensive resources and year-round opportunities for our constituents. Our services, publications, and products contribute significantly to the careers of emerging artists, seasoned professionals and academicians. SETC energizes the practical, intellectual and creative profile of theatre in America.”

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access Initiatives

Ethos Statement

SETC is resolutely committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the life and culture of our organization. We are actively interrogating our policies and practices to deliberately take action and institutionalize anti-racist and anti-oppressive policies and practice. SETC will work to center marginalized voices, bodies, and stories. We will listen and learn about racism, discrimination, and adversity.

Values Statement

Access
We believe that all people deserve access to theatre, and that theatre better reflects life when everyone is a part of the conversation. We pledge to make our organization, conferences, services, and products available to all, to create a welcoming environment to as many people as possible, and to identify, address, and eliminate barriers.

Commitment & Dedication
The commitment and dedication of our staff, board, membership, and constituents drive the opportunities that are available through SETC. We value the interconnectedness of individuals who are devoted to theatre in the southeast and nationwide to create a strong community of theatre practitioners.

Communication
The sharing of ideas, best practices, and opportunities is a critical component to our organization and the growth of theatre as an art form. We pledge clear, consistent, and efficient communication to support the needs of our membership and the progress of theatre in the nation.

Diversity & Inclusion
We value the life, stories, and theatre that lifts up people from a wide variety of lived experiences. We pledge to support the most vulnerable among us and provide opportunities for all people.

Empathy
SETC believes that theatre allows us to look at the world from a different perspective than our own. The ability to empathize with another’s experience is a skill that takes practice, and SETC pledges to create those opportunities.

Empowerment
SETC provides opportunities to become stronger, to gain confidence, and to embrace agency over our theatrical destinies. We want to empower future theatre makers and we value partnerships and practitioners that share this commitment.

Equity
We believe in the equitable treatment of people in policies, programs, practices, and services. SETC is committed to fairness and justice without favoritism or discrimination.

Honesty & Integrity
We pledge to conduct business with humility and sincerity, to seek truth in all interactions, to put the needs of our constituents first, to show respect to those who choose to share their expertise, and to operate with strong moral and ethical standards. As theatre seeks truth, so will SETC.

Inspiration
We are motivated by the passion of our membership for theatre as an art form. We believe in the power of stories, in shared ideals, and the ability of theatre to make change in the world. SETC is committed to sharing your passion with others, and inspiring the future of theatre.

Service
SETC serves theatre, its practitioners, its students, its audiences, and its legacy. We pledge to continue growing and learning in service to theatre nationwide.

Land Acknowledgment

Every community owes its existence and heritage to generations from around the world who contributed their hopes, dreams, and stories to making the history that led to this moment. Some had their dreams shattered when they were brought here against their will, some were drawn to leave their distant homes in hope of a better life, and some have lived and continue to live on this land where they have told their stories for more generations than can be counted. Before the Southeastern Theatre Conference connected the nation through theatre, the Saponi, Occaneechi, and Catawba Peoples connected their children, elders, and ancestors through stories, hopes, and dreams, and have stewarded this land for over 13,000 years. It is with gratitude that we honor the land and the First Nation people who call Greensboro home, and we also acknowledge that we benefit from their tragic loss of land through colonialism, genocide, and systematic attack. As recently as 1951, the Catawba Indian Nation’s government was “terminated” by the US federal government, and was not reinstated until 1993. The elders say that they have lived here forever, that they looked up at the sky and the Creators gave them their language and culture. We encourage SETC constituents to research and acknowledge the indigeneity of the land where you are located. Today, the State of North Carolina recognizes eight tribes as ancestors: Eastern Band of Cherokee, Coharie, Lumbee, Haliwa-Saponi, Sappony, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of Saponi Nation, and Waccamaw-Siouan tribes. This Land Acknowledgement challenges us to learn from their plight, and to draw from their traditions of language, spirituality, and storytelling to better understand community, respect, and stewardship of this great land.

Resources:

Honor Native Land Guide
Native Governance Center
Land and Territory Acknowledgement
American Indian Tribes in North Carolina
UNCG recognizes indigenous communities who have inhabited university land
NC Department of Administration – NC Tribal Communities
The Catawba Nation
UNC American Indian Center
500 Nations – NC Tribes

EDIA Representation Goals

For the next three years, SETC has established the following EDIA Representation Goals:

• Publications:
  • Every issue for each publication will either feature an EDIA article or at least one contributor will be BIPOC.
  • Attention will be given to representation in photographs in all publications.
• Keynotes:
  • In 2021, at least 50% of Keynotes will be BIPOC. And at least 1 Keynote will be BIPOC every year after that.
  • At least 50% of Keynotes will be women and any marginalized genders.
  • We will feature a theatre artist with a disabilityas a Keynote.
• Adjudicators:
  • At least 25% of adjudicators will be BIPOC.
  • At least 50% of adjudicators will be women and any marginalized genders.
  • At least one adjudicator will be an artist with a disability.
• Presenters:
  • At least 25% of presenters will be BIPOC.
  • Presenters who present on BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or disability issues will either be from that community, or have a clear credential for teaching workshops on behalf of that community.
  • Teachers Institute will have a BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or artist with a disability as the lead instructor or feature an inclusive topic every year.
• Leadership:
  • The Executive Committee, in consultation with the EDIA Task Force, will create a mentorship program for future BIPOC theatre leaders.
  • The Executive Committee will establish an advisory system for EDIA issues within the organization.
  • Central Office will establish a position with an EDIA-focus.

Nondiscrimination

SETC fully supports and promotes comprehensive equity throughout the theatre world. SETC is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all our various constituents:

“The right to be a member of SETC, to hold office, and to participate in activities (including but not limited to conventions, meetings, educational programs, auditions, interviews, volunteering, performances and employment), shall not be impacted or diminished because of discrimination due to race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability or handicap, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression (including transgender identity/expression), sexual orientation, marital status, military service, or other preconceptions or perceived differences.”

If you need support to participate in an SETC event, please review our Accessibility and Special Needs Information, and don’t hesitate to contact the SETC Central Office with any questions, concerns or requests.

Advocacy Statement

“Although regional in its founding, the Southeastern Theatre Conference invites a national audience to its mission, namely, “stimulating and organizing…theatre experiences of the highest possible standards and encouraging appreciation and understanding of the same.”

SETC champions a vision of theatre that expands exponentially from the individual artist-practitioner-educator; it finds its genesis within the five organizational divisions, articulates itself at the state level, comes together in celebration at the regional level, and ultimately extends into the national and international arenas. SETC actively promotes interdisciplinary and multi-cultural participation in theatre and honors the diversity of the members and constituencies it represents.

Opposing viewpoints are recognized and respected within and by the organization. SETC endorses exchanges where significant political and social considerations can be examined. Acknowledging its non-political nature and affirming its constitutionally-mandated opposition to propagandizing “or otherwise attempting to influence legislation,” SETC nonetheless may as an organization – under extreme circumstances, upon due reflection, and with appropriate approval of its membership – signify support or disapproval of events or instances that directly affect the free expression of its constituencies.

Forging educational and artistic forums to stimulate growth and cohesion within the organization, SETC stimulates learning and critical thinking, empowering theatre artists toward creative discovery. In its most basic manifestation of inclusion, the organization urges its ten member states at their annual conventions equally to embody and incorporate all its membership and SETC’s five divisions. Above all, SETC advocates the constant raising of standards and expectations in the art of theatre. As a result, SETC exists as a sentinel of artistic and aesthetic conscience to spur the growth of theatre and its expression.”