MISSION & VALUES STATEMENTS

DSF strives for cultural equity through storytelling and education that promotes cultural joy by maintaining spaces that are reflexive, inclusive, and accessible to limitless communities.

DSF believes Black Lives Matter. We passionately support this movement and believe that every organization throughout the world, in all fields, MUST look inward to combat white supremacy. We acknowledge that we have fallen short in doing this work in our past. We acknowledge the battle against racism and oppression must be embraced as a daily fight.

Davis Shakespeare Festival grew from its belief in the timeless and impactful storytelling of William Shakespeare. DSF strives to take Shakespeare down from his pedestal and make his work more accessible to people of all backgrounds, cultures, and interests. While Shakespeare has offered and continues to offer so much to the world, we feel the responsibility to decentralize Western ideals and systems put in place that do not allow certain people and ideas a seat at the table, or in our case, the rehearsal room. Compassion and collaboration are values that we have always held dear but now it is imperative that we hold ourselves and those we work with accountable should those values become undermined. Whether we are producing a Shakespearean comedy or a new devised work, we vow to center the community.

Our passion for equity through education is the driving force behind everything we do. Our current educational undertaking, the Digital Internship Program (DIP), provides an educational and experiential learning platform for university students and early-career professionals seeking to broaden their horizons as future arts leaders.

We acknowledge that we are living in the unprecedented time of COVID-19 and our hearts go out to those who have lost or have suffered in any way because of this. We acknowledge that this virus has disproportionately affected BIPOC and elderly communities in our countries.

Davis Shakespeare Festival, in its physical and virtual spaces, is anti-homophobic, anti-transphobic, anti-ableist, anti-sexist, and anti-racist.