misson & values
our mission
In the pioneering spirit of its namesake, the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center discovers, develops, and empowers new work, new voices, and creative risk-taking. By introducing innovative artists, essential to broadening the national cultural landscape, the O’Neill serves as the Launchpad of the American Theater.
our values
DISCOVERY: We commit to the discovery of new and daring voices, vital to the future of American theater, through rigorous and direct outreach in our open submission process, and the curation of our artistic programs.
DIVERSITY: Our community strives to honor the experiences, abilities, heritage, and expression of all artists, faculty, students, and staff. Within our artistry and administration, we pledge to empower a full range of individual identities.
COLLABORATION: We endeavor to provide time and space for artistic collisions, bold risk-taking, and deep reflection by all of our artists.
RISK. FAIL. RISK AGAIN: These words ring out from every rehearsal room, performance space, classroom, office, and individual on the O’Neill’s campus. We encourage artistic impulse and exploration of the exchange between art and audience.
EDUCATION: To be in the theater is to be a student for life. Whether one comes to the O’Neill early or the midst of their career, we work to offer a radically accepting space of mentorship, collaboration, and camaraderie.
COMMUNITY: The O’Neill’s legacy and artistry relies upon its engagement with the robust and vibrant local audiences. We create spaces and programming in support of one another, the Waterford community, and the American theater.
land acknowledgement
The O’Neill's campus sits on the traditional lands of the Mohegan, Mashantucket Pequot, Eastern Pequot, and Nehantic tribes. We honor and respect these nations, peoples, and their enduring relationship to this land.
equity, diversity, & inclusion
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center is committed to diversifying the future of the American theater through the stories we tell, the artists telling those stories, the staff supporting our work, and the audiences in our theaters. The O’Neill strives to cultivate a healthy and diverse community that recognizes the value of each individual and helps foster safety, civility, and respect for all people. All participants and employees in any O’Neill program, including students, staff, faculty, guests, and visitors, have the right to be free from racial, sexual, ableist, religious, and gender-based discrimination discrimination, harassment, and violence and all other forms of prohibited conduct.
anti-racist principles
Training
The O’Neill conducts annual Anti-Racism Training with Year-Round and Summer Staff focusing on the history of racism, interrupting bias, and dismantling exclusionary practices led by diversity specialists such as Radical EQ (formerly Equity Quotient) and Truth Hunter. We also offer all O’Neill students and conference participants the opportunity to take online training to encourage a culture of inclusivity and equity.
Practice
The O’Neill strives to enmesh our values to meet the ever-changing landscape of the current cultural moment. As a result of our institutional focus on inclusivity, equity and diversity, all of the O’Neill’s seven programs continue to expand the pool of BIPOC artists, staff, and trustees that join the O’Neill family by promoting intentional outreach, equitable hiring practices and expanded accessibility.
Reflection and Listening
Anti-racism work is never done. As an organization, the O’Neill continues to listen to our community and reflect internally to become a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all. We do not believe in staying complacent. We want to remain open to criticism, injustices, and suggestions to be held accountable for our actions. With the encouragement and support of our Trustees and community, the O’Neill will continue to grow.
Feedback
We welcome and embrace feedback, and we will continue to change in response. Please tell us how we can support you as we reflect, amplify, activate, organize, and mobilize. All are welcome to reach out to us at theaterlives@theoneill.org
Resources
Our offices and staff engage and remain in dialogue with the following resources pertaining to the work of Black and BIPOC individuals advocating for the vision of an Anti-Racist American Theater.