DOVER, DEL.: The Alliance for Jewish Theatre, the leading organization for Jewish theatre worldwide, has announced the launch of “Jewish Theatrical Resources: A Guide for Theaters Producing Jewish Work.” The guide can be downloaded for free online. Developed by more than 50 Jewish artists, casting directors, dramaturgs, development professionals, and artistic leaders across the field, the guide is designed to provide practical, real-world tools for anyone staging work with Jewish content to consider authenticity, respect, and cultural awareness.
“This guide has been in the works for a long time and is something our members were hungry for,” AJT president Jesse Bernstein said in a statement. “Even though Jewish stories are not uncommon on stages around the world, when non-Jewish theatres produce this work, there can be errors or uncertainty. This guide empowers theatres to produce these works through a spirit of deeper collaboration and understanding.”
Playwright and AJT board member Ali Viterbi, who spearheaded the project, said in a statement, “Whether you’re a producer, director, stage manager, marketer, or donor engagement lead, this resource is designed to support you.”
The guide is broken down into eight different areas, including casting (best practices that honor identity and nuance), marketing (tips to avoid stereotypes and promote inclusion), development (fundraising strategies for engaging Jewish and non-Jewish funders), community engagement (guidance for building trust with Jewish communities), rehearsal processes (rehearsal room practices that support Jewish artists), and more. It also includes a calendar of major Jewish holidays and observances.
“This guide is a free, evolving resource designed to support your work and grow with your feedback,” Bernstein said in a statement. “We encourage everyone to read, share, or download it. AJT’s goal is to ensure as many people as possible learn about this new resource and to make producing Jewish theatre feel accessible and exciting.”
The guide opened a dialogue with the secular theatre world and will be a key feature of AJT’s upcoming, revived in-person annual conference, which will be at the Breman Museum and Cultural Center in Atlanta on Oct. 18-19.
“There are important conversations needed to address the global theatre landscape for Jews today,” AJT executive director Lynde Rosario said in a statement, “and we are asking Jewish theatre artists of all backgrounds, experience levels, and disciplines to be part of the ongoing discourse.”
