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Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 Production Photo

About Us

EXPANDING THE BOUNDARIES OF THEATER
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Mission, Vision, & Values

Mission

The American Repertory Theater at Harvard University is dedicated to expanding the boundaries of theater, always including the audience as a partner.

Vision

We focus on the research and development of groundbreaking theatrical experiences that catalyze dialogue and transformation. We believe that by engaging our hearts, minds, and bodies, theater has the power to heal and imagine collective pathways forward.

We commit to advancing public health in our practice and our programming, recognizing that racism in America is a national public health crisis. Our new home in Allston will be a breathable and healthy building envisioned as a town hall for the twenty-first century. Inspired by the model of a teaching hospital, the building will be a vibrant center for research, experiential pedagogy, and performance.

We build community with our audiences, artists, students, staff, and neighbors across Greater Boston, embracing theater’s power to cultivate the full breadth and beauty of our shared humanity. We affirm and celebrate a multitude of perspectives and experiences that reflect the diversity of our country and world. We are dedicated to making a welcoming and accessible space for people of any identity, background, or ability.

Values

We hold the institution and each other responsible and accountable for living our shared values. There is no hierarchy to these values; they are all equally important and interrelated. We acknowledge that as an institution we must devote time to implementing and sustaining these values:

We center anti-racism
Habituate anti-racist practices in our policies, structure, and culture

We lead with inquiry
Ask questions in a spirit of brave curiosity in our never-ending journey of learning and growth

We believe in collaboration
Work together with trust and respect to unlock collective creativity

We practice adaptability
Challenge assumptions and create capacity to support “next” practices

We embrace regenerative practice
Promote the health and vitality of our planet, our organization, and each other

History

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University is a leading force in the American theater, producing groundbreaking work that is driven by risk-taking and passionate inquiry. A.R.T. was founded in 1980 by Robert Brustein, who served as Artistic Director until 2002, when he was succeeded by Robert Woodruff. Diane Paulus began her tenure as Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director in 2008 and co-leads the theater in partnership with Executive Director Kelvin Dinkins, Jr., who began his tenure in June 2022.

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Anti-Racism & Accountability

A.R.T. is centering anti-racism as a core value, including in our policies, structure, programming, philanthropy, communications, pedagogy, and workplace culture. Our journey will be sustained, ongoing, and foundational to our theater.

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Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The American Repertory Theater at Harvard University strives to reflect and celebrate the diversity of Cambridge and Greater Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the United States and the world in our programming, artists, audience, boards, partners, and staff. The A.R.T. is committed to developing and producing work and creating environments that embrace the full breadth and beauty of our shared humanity. We unequivocally oppose any attempts to divide our community through acts of discrimination, omission, and violence. We are dedicated to making a welcoming and accessible space for people of any identity, background, or ability, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, nationality or immigration status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical/mental ability, appearance, socio-economic status, education level, and political viewpoint.

Venues

The Loeb Drama Center where the A.R.T. performs is located on the traditional and ancestral land of the Massachusett, the original inhabitants of what is now known as Boston and Cambridge. We pay respect to the people of the Massachusett Tribe, past and present, and honor the land itself which remains sacred to the Massachusett People.

Sushma Saha, Sara Porkalob, Mehry Eslaminia, Gisela Adisa, Elizabeth A. Davis, Becca Ayers, Brooke Simpson, and Oneika Phillips arranged in V behind Crystal Lucas-Perry and a desk.