MISSION
The Bridge Initiative is a women-led artistic collective that uses theatre and media to build bridges in our community.
VISION
The Bridge Initiative believes theatre and media can act as a mirror and a window to inspire growth and build community. We envision an equitable industry where women and other groups who have historically been denied access are equitably represented and valued. We aspire to being part of a healthy, multi-tiered professional ecosystem in Arizona that provides just compensation and the highest quality artistic offerings from new work incubation to full production. We want to build a community of safe and brave spaces where artists and audience use theatre and media to spark dialogue, inspire reflection, and grow a better world.
VALUES
Abundance * Access * Accountability * Antiracism * Authenticity * Consent *
Humility * Gender Parity * Growth * Shared Power
501(c)3 nonprofit organization * EIN #81-2423693
DIGGING DEEPER… DEFINITIONS
COLLECTIVE
We are a group of professional artists committed to working, learning, and growing together.
INCUBATOR
We are focused on developing new work and new interpretations as well as world/regional premieres.
PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS
Producers, directors, designers, writers, actors, technicians who are compensated equitably.
MARGINALIZED GROUPS
Everyone who is discriminated against on the basis of (including but not limited to) gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, age, size, ability, neurodiversity, poverty or housing insecurity, military service, or pregnancy.
GENDER PARITY
We are committed to hiring creative teams (personnel working on a given project both on and offstage) that are majority people from marginalized genders.
ANTIRACISM
We ascribe to Ibram X. Kendi’s ideas of antiracism and the need to build an antiracist society. We are a work-in-progress and a primarily white-led institution and our leadership has engaged in cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed training and we strive daily to live our values.
MIRROR
Our work reflects and represents our audience and community in its diversity and complexity, avoiding stereotypes.
WINDOW
Our work brings our audience into contact with diverse perspectives and points of view different from their own.
GROWTH
We are life-long learners who strive for authenticity, humility, and responsibility, hold ourselves accountable to our values, and are dedicated to acknowledging and learning from our mistakes.
BUILD COMMUNITY
We believe in dialogue between artists and audience, and are working to provide safe and brave spaces for artists to collaborate. Ensure historically marginalized voices are heard, valued, and validated.
SAFE & BRAVE
The artistic process requires vulnerability which is brave and doesn’t always feel “safe.” To inspire the trust required for bravery, we are dedicated to creating a space that may at times be uncomfortable but that is safe from discrimination, harassment, predatory behavior, and bullying. We commit to Content Warnings for our projects when appropriate and offering service and safety resources when needed. We welcome differing points of view as long as they are not creating harmful or unsafe conditions for others.
SPACE
Our audition, meeting, rehearsal, and performance venues, off-stage and on.
AUDIENCE
All who engage with our events, whether participatory or passive, in person or virtually.