Simpatico Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Statement* 

At Simpatico Theatre, we affirm that Black Lives Matter and that racial justice is essential to the health, integrity, and future of our field.

We acknowledge that systemic racism and oppression are deeply embedded in the American theatre ecosystem, and that Simpatico has not been exempt from these structures. In our early years, we benefited from systems shaped by white privilege and exclusion, and we recognize the harm those systems cause to artists, audiences, and communities. This acknowledgment is not a conclusion, but a responsibility we continue to hold.

Since 2020, Simpatico has committed to sustained anti-racism and anti-oppression work that moves beyond statements toward structural and cultural change. Our staff and Board have engaged in ongoing education, reflection, and accountability practices, including anti-racism training and organizational self-assessment informed by the demands articulated by We See You, White American Theater. This work has shaped how we make decisions, allocate resources, and define leadership.

In practice, Simpatico has taken concrete steps to align our values with our actions. We have prioritized hiring and centering artists whose voices reflect the racial, cultural, and economic diversity of Philadelphia, and we continue to cultivate long-term artistic relationships rooted in equity, care, and trust. Our programming choices emphasize stories that engage lived experience and challenge dominant narratives, and we remain committed to supporting artists through paid, respectful collaboration.

We have also worked to strengthen governance practices that reflect shared leadership and accountability. While this work is ongoing, we understand that representation alone is not the goal; power-sharing, transparency, and responsibility are.

Accessibility remains a core part of our anti-oppression practice. Our Pay What You Decide ticketing model continues to remove financial barriers to participation and affirms that theatre should be available to all, not only those with economic privilege. We view access not as charity, but as a necessary condition for belonging.

Simpatico’s anti-racism and anti-oppression work is iterative and evolving. We remain committed to listening, learning, and being held accountable by our community. We invite dialogue, questions, and feedback, and we understand that trust is built through consistent action over time.

This statement reflects where we are, a work in progress. Our responsibility is to continue this work with humility, clarity, and care, knowing that meaningful change requires persistence, partnership, and honesty.

Allison Heishman, Artistic Director

Mike Gumbel, President of the Board of Directors

Melissa Hewitt, Board of Directors

Erin Read, Board of Directors

*This statement was originally posted in October 2020 and continuously updated, most recently in January 2026.