Access
Access and Engagement
The Department of Theatre’s core values are reflected in our mission and daily endeavors. We are dedicated to educating diverse undergraduate and graduate students in rigorous programs that fully integrate their training with the operations of our professional theatre, which serves the cultural life of the region.
We are deeply committed to the values of the College of Arts and Sciences – traditions of a liberal arts education; free, bold and ethical inquiry; effective civic engagement; an understanding and appreciation of our nation’s natural and cultural heritage, and a deep respect for diversity, inclusion and cultural variety within our discipline.
The department also recognizes and values diversity in all forms, including age, ethnicity, family structure, gender identity, national origin, race religion, spirituality, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, veteran status.
We believe inclusivity and diversity in our workplace should reflect the increasing multicultural and global society in which we live. We seek to foster excellent creative research, scholarship and professional practice, by creating a welcoming environment, ethical recruitment practices, support a diverse student body, who will have lives of awareness, understanding, through their creative research, teaching, practicing and advocating for others in a diverse world. We will attract and sustain faculty who pursue creative expression and research that enriches lives and seeks solutions to society’s problems. We seek to impart empathy and self-knowledge to our students, and values of life-long learning and engagement. We seek to provide them with the knowledge and experiential foundations for a rich, fulfilled, engaged life and career as informed citizens.
We will promote diversity and inclusion because these values reflect a basic human right to justice and equality of opportunity for all, as well as engender the most effective environment to foster creative citizens and to prepare our students for the world.
The members of the Access and Engagement Committee are:
- Casey Sams, Chair, Associate Head for Theatre
- Tom Cervone, CBT Managing Director
- Dr. Gina Di Salvo
- Jed Diamond, Acting
- Susan McMillan, CBT Production Manager
- Lauren Roark, Head of Design
Access and Engagement Resources
The following resources support diversity and inclusion at the University of Tennessee.
University of Tennessee Access and Engagement (DAE)
The DAE collaborates with campus and external communities to create inclusive learning and work environments.
College of Arts and Sciences Access and Engagement
Read the College of Arts and Sciences Access and Engagement policy.
UTK Campus Climate
Learn about how UT defines Campus Climate Concerns or report a Campus Climate Concern on this campus resource site.
Report an Incident
If you have been the subject of or a witness to a campus climate concern, please complete and submit this report. To learn more, visit UTK Campus Climate.
Civility & Community
Find out what the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is doing to strengthen our community.
Center for International Education
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is committed to offering immigration advising and support services to our international student and scholar population.
Chancellor’s Commission for Black Communities (CFB)
The CFB is a body appointed by the Chancellor to advise on planning, implementation, and evaluation of university programs, policies, and services as they relate to Black students, faculty, and staff.
Chancellor’s Commission for Women (CFW)
The CFW is a body appointed by the Chancellor to advise on the planning, implementation, and evaluation of campus programs, policies, and services designed to improve the status of women on the campus.
International House
The International House is proud to welcome all students to engage and grow as global citizens by hosting a variety of culturally immersive programs and events throughout the year.
Student Disability Services (SDS)
SDS is committed to partnering with the UT community to ensure an accessible university experience for students with disabilities by removing or minimizing barriers.
Office of Access and Engagement
Recognizing the humanity of well-qualified, historically under-represented individuals and help them access employment opportunities, resources, services, educational and ancillary programs, and university facilities at UTK, UTIA, UT Athletics, UTSI, IPS, UTF, and the UT System
Office of Multicultural Student Life
The Office Multicultural Student Life provides academic support, multicultural education, identity exploration, leadership development, and innovative programming.
Pride Center: LGBT & Ally Resource Center
The Pride Center is the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) resource center at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Veteran Student Services
At UT, our goal is to create an environment where student veterans can thrive in areas of academia, leadership, and connectedness.
Bias (Campus Climate) and Sexual Harassment Reporting Resources
The Department of Theatre and the Clarence Brown Theatre are committed to fostering an equitable, inclusive and safe atmosphere for all students, company members and guests. This is our mission in the classroom, the theatre, the rehearsal room and wherever we meet to collaborate and learn. If you experience or witness bias, harassment or other unsafe situations, here are some resources available to students, faculty, staff, guest artists and community members:
Call 911
Call 911 If you feel threatened or are in immediate danger.
Call 974-HELP
The Office of the Dean of Students referral line is available to all students experiencing distress or those concerned about the well-being of a Student.
Call 976-CARE
This HR resource line is available to faculty and staff in distress or those concerned about the well-being of a coworker.
Report Bias
Report incidents of bias to the University with the Campus Climate Incident Reporting Form.
Report Sexual Harassment
Report incidences of Sexual Harassment, Sexual Exploitation or Retaliation to the UTK office of Title IX. If you are uncomfortable or unsure about this process, any CBT faculty or staff member can help you. All CBT Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters under Title IX and will help you report and connect you with resources.
Call 974-2498
Contact the Office of Access and Engagement for allegations of discrimination and/or harassment that cannot be resolved departmentally. If you do not feel safe bringing your complaint to the department you may report to the Academic Dean of the appropriate college.
Addressing Concerns within the Theatre Community
The Department of Theatre and the Clarence Brown Theatre value open and honest communication in all our educational and production spaces. All students and collaborators are encouraged to raise concerns as they arise, but we recognize that not every person feels empowered to speak directly in every moment. Here are some additional resources to address concerns within our community. These resources can be used separately or in conjunction with those listed above.
In the Classroom:
- Speak with or email your Professor about your concerns.
- Report incidences or concerns to your faculty advisor or to any member of the Access and Engagement Committee or the Access and Engagement Task Force https://theatre.utk.edu/diversity-inclusion/dei-committee-taskforce/. You are also encouraged to report incidents of bias with the University https://studentlife.utk.edu/campusclimate/
- Ask questions anonymously via the Department of Theatre Suggestion Box: https://theatre.utk.edu/suggestion-box/. Note- this is not the place to bring concerns that need to be addressed urgently. Please seek out direct help if a situation requires immediate action.
In Rehearsal and Production:
- The Stage Manager supervises all aspects of the rehearsal and performance space. You may always bring concerns to the Stage Manager of a production, to the CBT Production Stage Manager (Patrick Lanczki), or the CBT Production Manager (Susan McMillan).
- Report incidences or concerns to any member of the Access and Engagement Committee or the Access and Engagement Task Force. You are also encouraged to report incidents of bias with the University here.
- Ask questions anonymously via the Department of Theatre Suggestion Box. Note: this is not the place to bring concerns that need to be addressed urgently.
- Please seek out direct help if a situation requires immediate action.
Access and Engagement Plan
Executive Summary
Overview
The Department of Theatre at the University of Tennessee is dedicated to creating rigorous educational programs that are fully integrated with the operations of a professional theatre serving our region. This dual mission informs everything that we do. The Department operates The Clarence Brown Theatre (CBT), a LORT D Equity theatre (League of Resident Theatres), and is a member of the University/Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA). The Department and the CBT are fully integrated in all aspects of mission and function. We offer a four-year general Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre with optional concentrations in Honors, Acting, and Design and Technology, and a three-year Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre with concentrations in Acting, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, and Sound and Media Design. The MFA in acting has been ranked among the top 25 professional training programs internationally for the past 4 years, reaching to #8 in 2020. We uphold and promote high professional standards of integrity, behavior, and endeavor. We are deeply committed to the values of the College of Arts and Sciences: the traditions of the liberal arts; free, bold, and ethical intellectual inquiry; vibrant and effective civic engagement; respect for diversity and cultural variety; and an understanding of and appreciation for our nation’s and world’s rich natural and cultural heritages.
Access and Engagement are the top strategic priority of the Dept. of Theatre / Clarence Brown Theatre. We seek sustained transformation of every aspect of our unit. To provide some context, the terrible racial and social injustice events of 2020 shook the entire American theatre community to its core, and rightly so. In 2020 people of color in the profession published a devastating critique We See You White American Theatre that intensified self-examination and action throughout the profession. UT Theatre alumni and students followed with their own critique of our culture and practices, raising many truths about our deficiencies with respect to access. In fall of 2020, an ad hoc College of Arts and Sciences special task force was created to review our unit and provide recommendations for improvement. Internally, we created a new standing committee tasked with drafting and carrying out a strategic action plan. The task force completed its work and issued a final report to the department in early 2021. The departmental plan was completed and approved by the College of Arts and Sciences in summer of 2021. The plan is under continuous review and improvement. Below are the broadest goals and objectives of the plan.
Goal 1: Create and sustain a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive campus climate.
Objectives
Objective 1: Model & communicate access and engagement values, policies, practices, and resources regularly and effectively to all members of the department, the CBT, patrons, and the general public. Draft or revise all department and CBT documents to forefront values and practice; educate faculty, staff, and students in access and engagement values and practice, and in reporting bias, harassment, or other incidents regarding climate.
Objective 2: Program CBT productions with content or themes that address issues of access and engagement and allow for diversity in staffing and casting in the production program as a whole. Project the overall access and engagement potential of each production season and prioritize access and engagement in final season selection.
Goal 2: Attract and retain greater numbers of individuals from historically underrepresented populations into faculty, staff, and administrative positions (particularly department heads, directors, deans, and vice chancellors).
Objectives
Objective 1: Recruit and retain a diverse faculty. Closely adhere to best practices for access and engagement hiring. Broaden recruiting network and compare results with national demographic data and aspirational peer programs.
Objective 2: Recruit and retain a diverse professional staff. Closely adhere to best practices for access and engagement hiring. Broaden recruiting network and compare results with national demographic data and aspirational peer programs.
Objective 3: Recruit and retain diverse guest artists and guest / temporary staff in all Clarence Brown Theatre production areas. Closely adhere to best practices for access and engagement hiring. Broaden recruiting network and compare results with national demographic data and aspirational peer programs.
Goal 3: Attract, retain, and graduate increasing numbers of undergraduate and graduate students from historically underrepresented populations and international students.
Objectives
Objective 1: Recruit and retain MFA students from under-represented populations. Closely adhere to best practices for access and engagement graduate recruiting. Engage national and international recruiting networks and opportunities and compare results with national demographic data and aspirational peer programs.
Objective 2: Recruit and retain BA students from under-represented populations. Closely adhere to best practices for access and engagement graduate recruiting. Engage local, state, and national, and international recruiting networks and opportunities and compare results with national demographic data and aspirational peer programs.
Goal 4: Develop and strengthen partnerships with diverse communities in Tennessee and globally.
Objectives
Objective 1: Diversify the CBT advisory board with community leaders from the BIPOC, and LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented groups, and engage all board members to broaden contacts and promote access and engagement in CBT culture, events, publicity, and programming.
Objective 2: Develop outreach programs that serve or partner with area schools and communities of underrepresented populations.
Goal 5: Prepare undergraduate students to work and live in a diverse world.
Objectives
Objective 1: Integrate diverse cultural perspectives in the BA curriculum.
Goal 6: Prepare graduate students to become teachers and researchers in a diverse world.
Objectives
Objective 1: Increase diverse cultural perspectives in the MFA curriculum. Increase MFA students’ awareness of global art, perspectives, and research.
Objective 2: Provide MFA students with training in access and engagement.
