BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Building the Future Together
Our Approach to Collaboration, Opportunity, and Growth
(Updated October 27, 2025)
At Deaf West, we believe in the power of theater to transform, to connect, and to open new doors for artists, audiences, and communities alike. Our practices have long embodied the values outlined below, and we remain committed to building on this foundation.
For more than three decades, this work has been central to our mission, and our track record reflects that. This page outlines how we are building on the foundation we have laid, creating new systems, and deepening the ways we support artists and communities.
Growth is rarely linear. It is built through relationships, lived experience, and a shared commitment to listening, learning, and creating boldly together. As we look ahead, we continue to welcome feedback and seek new ways to evolve in partnership with our community.
We also recognize that our ability to pursue this work depends on capacity. Many of the actions outlined below require dedicated funding and strong partnerships. Our commitment is to grow responsibly, scaling our efforts with care and collaboration.
1. Expanding Access for Artists
Action Items:
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Submission and Evaluation
We have launched a dedicated Artist Submission Portal for writers, performers, designers, backstage support and directors to share their work with our artistic team and staff. Please visit this page for more information and criteria. Submissions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. For general inquiries, you can still reach us at info@deafwest.org.
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Flexible Development Support
Whenever possible, we offer tailored support for works-in-progress, meeting artists and collaborators where they are in their creative journey. This may include developmental conversations, creative labs, workshops, and readings designed to nurture a project’s unique needs. Support is provided on a scalable basis, determined by organizational capacity, budget, and existing commitments—ensuring that each collaboration receives thoughtful and meaningful engagement within our resources.
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Leadership & Mentorship
Building pathways into leadership through mentorships and opportunities for collaborative growth.
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Built-in Commitments
Embedding these values in production planning and partnership agreements. Submission does not guarantee production, but it ensures visibility and thoughtful consideration.
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Tracking Growth
Documenting our impact and celebrating artist milestones as well as community feedback to inform future work in the form of annual reports starting January 2026.
Why It Matters:
Increasing entry points creates a richer, more dynamic creative landscape. This allows more stories to be told.
2. Investing in Talent and Career Growth
Action Items:
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Offering training mentorships, apprenticeships, and hands-on learning in design, directing, producing, and dramaturgy. We are actively seeking funding for these opportunities, and the funding we receive will shape the size and scope of our offerings.
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Creating opportunities for early-career artists to observe, participate, and lead.
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Collaborating with professionals in theater, film, and television to expand access and share tools.
Why It Matters:
When creatives grow, the entire field benefits. Strong artists make a strong industry.
3. Creating Effective Working Environments
Deaf West Theatre is deeply committed to creating spaces where Deaf and hearing artists can collaborate equitably and authentically.
Beginning in the 2026, all new collaborators will take part in accessibility and grounding trainings before rehearsals begin—building connection, trust, and shared understanding of Deaf culture and ASL.
For mainstage productions, Deaf West will host a 1–2 week training covering Deaf culture, foundational ASL, and best practices for inclusive creative processes. Smaller workshops, labs, and readings will feature a scaled training model, shaped by team size, project needs, and available resources.
All trainings are led by experienced instructors with roots in the Deaf community and developed in partnership with Deaf West leadership. The specific scope and format of each training will be determined at the discretion of Deaf West Theatre leadership and the Board of Directors, ensuring that each project receives the level of preparation and cultural grounding it deserves.
In addition to these trainings, all collaborators, staff, and artists will receive Deaf West Theatre’s “Best Practices for Working with Deaf Collaborators” document. Each individual will be required to review and sign an acknowledgment form confirming they have read and understood the document before the start of rehearsals or project activities.
These trainings and materials are more than orientation—they are a foundational part of our creative process, cultivating the shared language, respect, and values that define Deaf West Theatre.
This updated policy will also be formally included in the Deaf West Theatre Employee Handbook, reinforcing our organization-wide commitment to accessibility, equity, and inclusion across all areas of operation.
Why It Matters:
Collaboration thrives when everyone feels respected and prepared. Clear communication builds creative momentum. A clear structure behind the scenes supports creative freedom on stage. When expectations are clear, people can focus on doing their best work.
Looking Ahead
These commitments are not new to Deaf West. They reflect long-standing values that have shaped every aspect of our work. We are proud of that legacy and see this next phase as a way to give our practices more structure, visibility, and staying power.
This is about ensuring that our core values are sustained through systems and resources. It is about welcoming new collaborators while deepening our accountability to the communities we serve.
Meaningful progress takes time, trust, and shared investment. We will continue to refine our practices, track impact, and invite new voices into the conversation.
Our ability to grow depends on the resources we secure, and we are deeply grateful to every partner, artist, and supporter who makes this work possible. Please support our efforts by making a donation today. You may earmark your donation for the commitments above.
We are listening as we move forward. Your ideas, feedback, and collaboration shape what comes next.
Thank you for building with us.
— The Deaf West Team