The Association of Regional Theatre Artists stands in support of our members and fellow artists who refuse to accept dangerous, unethical, or disrespectful working conditions within the Buffalo theatre community. When a theatre company engages in manipulative or unsafe practices that prioritize institutional interests over the well-being of artists, technicians, and staff, ARTA strongly discourages participation in those productions or organizations.

We acknowledge that our theatre community has, at times, fallen short of the professional and ethical standards it deserves, causing significant harm to both individuals and the broader WNY theatre landscape. ARTA affirms that these practices are unacceptable and incompatible with a healthy, sustainable theatre industry.

ARTA’s Stage Directions is a community-driven, values-based set of practices created for working practitioners in the Western New York theatre industry. It establishes shared expectations and best practices to support safe, equitable, and respectful working environments.

We encourage all industry participants:

• To establish and maintain safe, healthy workplaces.

• To cultivate an equitable, just, and sustainable theatre industry.

• To engage in transparent, honest conversations around production and employment practices.

• To promote advocacy and provide clear resources for practitioners at all levels.

Through Stage Directions, ARTA affirms that safe workplaces are essential to effective and sustainable production. This includes making safety a regular topic in meetings, assessing worksites for hazards, and clearly informing practitioners of risks and safety measures.

When unsafe or harmful practices arise, Stage Directions can serve as a shared point of reference for guidance and accountability. The document also calls for strict no-bullying policy, defining bullying as any intentional behavior that causes physical, emotional, or social harm through abuse of power or intimidation, including but not limited to the misuse of physical size, social status, intelligence, gender, race, religion, or ability, across any medium.

ARTA recognizes that failures in best practices can occur, and when they do, it is imperative that such failures be addressed openly, and that steps are taken toward genuine improvement and growth.

Finally, we encourage both our members and the larger theatre community to remember that there is strength in numbers. Shared responsibility, clear standards, and mutual support of each other are essential to building a safe and respectful Western New York theatre community for all. While we wish organizations like ARTA were unnecessary, until that time, we remain committed to advocacy, accountability, and support for theatre artists at every level.