The Gender Parity Initiative is compiled of working groups dedicated to the goal of "50/50 by 2020"—That is a 50% representation of people with marginalized gender identities* in the New England theater scene by the year 2020.

The initiative creates and coordinates audience engagement initiatives that promote awareness around and engagement in the gender parity issue, and collects data to benchmark and drive parity work in the New England theatre sector.

Click here to join the Gender Parity Initiative Google Group!
follow us on Facebook:   Facebook.com/StandingO
or Twitter:  @StandingOBoston

*What is a Marginalized Gender Identity?

Simply put, a marginalized gender identity (MGI) is any gender that isn’t a cisgender man (a man who was assigned male at birth and currently identifies as a man).  When StageSource initially created the Gender Parity Task Force back in 2015 their focus was specifically on women—a 2013-2014 season survey found that men outnumbered women by at least 2 to 1 in many fields including directing, playwriting, and design.

But hiring discrimination and workplace gender inequity is a broad reaching problem, and since then, we have expanded our parity efforts to include all marginalized genders.  This includes but is not limited to: all women, trans, non-binary, agender, and genderqueer people.

 Standing O Stamp   

StageSource member organizations may opt themselves into being considered for a Standing O Stamp on our digital New England theatre calendar the StagePage.  An event qualifies for a Standing O if it meets three of the following five criteria:

MGI / Female DIRECTOR
MGI / Female PLAYWRIGHT
At least a 50% MGI / Female CAST
At least a 50% MGI / Female DESIGN TEAM
MGI / Female centered STORY

Submissions are accepted from StageSource members only. The StagePage is accessible to the public, including artists, organizations, and the press.  Visit StagePage.org to submit your show

Parity Parties

Parity Parties are events to promote and bring audiences to Standing O-stamped productions. When submitting for a Standing O to the StagePage, make sure to check the box on the form and let us know that you are interested in being considered for a Parity Party. If you have questions, or decide you'd like to be considered after you submitted your event, contact programs@stagesource.org.

THE Gender Parity REport

Click here to see the 2015 Gender Parity Report or Click here to download the report

Click here to find out more about the upcoming Hackathon that will generate the 2019 Gender Parity Report.  

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Here are some links to other work being done in the field:

• WomenArts in San Francisco released a report in April called Not Even: A Gender Analysis of 500 San Francisco/Bay Area Theatrical Productions, 2011-2014  by Valerie Weak in collaboration with Martha Richards and Christine Young.

• In December, 2015 the Dramatist Guild will be releasing a national report, The Count.

• In Washington D.C., Gwydion Suilebhan and David Mitchell Robinson are tracking data around playwrights and directors. 

• In Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Female Playwrights’ Initiative released The Study. The group is still active, with meetups and convenings.

• In Chicago, the Gender Equity Task Force released a report in 2010.

• In Toronto, Equity in Theatre held a symposium in April. Over 100 people spent a day discussing their latest report, Achieving Equity in Canadian Theatre: A Report with Best Practice Recommendations. 

• Women in the Arts & Media Coalition has a “Studies” page that includes links to a lot of work being done in this space.

• The International Centre for Women Playwrights provides several services, including the 50/50 Applause Award.

ARTICLES

• Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s audacious move to gender equity: Santa Cruz Sentinel 4/29/2015

• HOW HOLLYWOOD KEEPS OUT WOMEN: LA Weekly 4/29/2015