Ready to do more than just talk about diversity?

-Offer a full session of Improv 101 classes

-Provide at least 5 scholarships for Black students, in the same class. Additional scholarships must also be issued in groups of 5, in the same class. 

-Have a written and shared Code of Conduct which expresses a zero tolerance policy for racism - on or off stage - for all cast members, employees, and students. (We understand that you might not have this completed just yet. But in order to be part of this program, you need to be working on it. We want our students to be confident that we are sending them into situations where they can be safe being vulnerable).

-Have a written process, which is shared with all students, for how they can file a report or otherwise express discomfort about anything that happened in class or in another interaction with a teacher, employee, or student of your theater. There must also be written assurance that there will be no repercussions against students who speak up. (Again, if you don’t have this totally together right now, it’s ok if you are working on it)

 Send us an email, letting us know that you want to join The Partnership, where you are located (if you are a school/theater/teacher), and how many students you are willing to sponsor. Improv schools, theaters, and teachers can join us by directly offering a minimum of 5 Improv 101 scholarships for Black students. Corporate sponsors - and generous individuals - can join us by paying for a minimum of 5 Black students to take Improv 101 at the qualifying theater of your choice. Or, if you’d simply like to make a donation, we can find a class for you to sponsor. 

 Because we refuse to send anyone into a situation in which they will be tokenized. And because we want Black students to not just try out your class, but to STAY and become part of your community! In our many conversations with Black improvisers, we have found that having some sort of Black community present has been essential to their decisions to stay in majority white theaters. The number one reason they leave? Being one of few or the only Black person there. We could write a novel on why that is, but trust us: if you want Black people to stay in your theater, you need more than a ‘token Black person’. You need to build a COMMUNITY. And so, for every improv school/theater that partners with us, we insist on a minimum of FIVE Black students - IN THE SAME CLASS.

 We said what we said. 

 Because improv can be financially prohibitive and hard to sell to those who have never seen it. If you truly want to increase Black representation in your theater, you need to consider removing barriers which would prevent people from getting involved. Our hope is that after completing Improv 101, the students in this Partnership will choose to invest in furthering their improv education at your theater. We are also gathering resources to invest in additional scholarships for those who want to continue but need assistance to pay for more classes.

 Melanated blessings from Black Jesus.

Seriously, by participating in this program, you make this community better for all of us. By actively pursuing a diverse student body, you make it clear that your theater is a safe and inviting space for Black students and audience members. You also make your organization better by inviting more perspectives and experiences into your art. 

Plus, you get a nifty banner for your website and listed as a partner on ours! (and that's good publicity! whoot whoot!)

 Not a problem! We have connections with Black arts communities all over the country and will gladly reach out to help you find Black students. We will always endeavor to find you local students first, because we want to help you build physical communities once the world reopens, but you may also have some online students from other cities. Worst case scenario, you'll build goodwill with Black people from other places and they'll want to visit your theater when they come to town. It’s win/win!

Awesome! Get in touch with us at BlackImprovAlliance@gmail.com - Subject line “Interested Partner - 100 Black Improvisers Partnership” We'll get back to you shortly and will work with you to design a diversity support opportunity that's just right for you!