The U.S. theater world is seeing widespread changes in leadership, and Bay Area theater professionals tracking the development say it’s an opportune time for theater companies to diversify.
A database started informally in 2015 by director Rebecca Novick currently shows 21 artistic director positions open, all at theaters around the country with budgets over $1 million. Only two of the outgoing directors at those theaters were women, and another two were persons of color. None of them were women of color.
“It’s disgusting,” Novick said. “I know at least 15 women of color that could apply for those positions.”
Novick says that now is the perfect time for these institutions to make changes for the better as the theater world undergoes “a giant generational shift.” Dozens of important theater positions have opened up since 2015, and many of those departing had held them for 20-30 years.
“These are jobs that don’t turn over frequently, and there’s never been a moment where so many turned over at once,” Novick said.