Radical Welcome

Radical Welcome began when Aili Huber, creator of Take 5 and Artistic Director of Silk Moth Stage, invited colleagues at the Wayne Theatre, Mary Baldwin University’s Shakespeare & Performance MFA program, Theatre at Bridgewater College, and the American Shakespeare Center to collaborate on a symposium of people who are actively working, in one way or another, to make theater workplaces better for theater workers.

The intention of the symposium was to align and organize our efforts, to stop being siloed into our own specific type of activism, but to see ourselves as part of one big movement. Could we share resources, offer solidarity, and commit to improving our industry for everyone?

This symposium, held in May, 2025, ultimately included leaders and activists in the fields of pay equity, disability and caregiver access, racial justice, mental health awareness, and more. It included high school theater teachers and people who have worked on prominent stages, and ran the gamut from actors to directors to designers to production managers. People came from all across the country. This wide representation was important; we wanted to have voices from many different kinds of theaters, and from many different jobs within the industry, because we all have a role to play.

This first convening was a great success. Participants made connections, taught workshops, shared shows and meals and laughter. People began planning future collaborations, asking follow-up questions, planning to meet up again.

At the end of the symposium, the biggest question was: “What’s next?”

This. This is what’s next. Won’t you join us?