Social Justice & Diversity for the Performing Arts is a practice-oriented training program that supports artistic institutions and workspaces in actively fostering diversity and sustainably embedding inclusive perspectives in their structures and practices.
Today, performing arts institutions operate at the intersection of artistic integrity, audience engagement, and cultural relevance. At the same time, they are increasingly called upon to address socially significant issues—such as representation, equality, and anti-discrimination—both on and off stage.
Navigating these demands can be complex. Diverse perspectives, expectations, and experiences often make constructive, goal-oriented dialogue both essential and challenging.
Social Justice & Diversity Training responds to these needs by providing a structured and trusted framework for reflection and exchange. In close collaboration with participating institutions, it facilitates open dialogue and develops concrete, tailored strategies to support sustainable, diversity-sensitive practices.
Training Content
1. Communication and Diversity of Perspectives
Participants acquire practical communication tools that enable constructive engagement with topics around discrimination. The focus lies on reflecting internalized stereotypes and consciously recognizing difference as a valuable foundation for collaboration and artistic quality.
Participants acquire practical communication tools that enable constructive engagement with topics around discrimination. The focus lies on reflecting internalized stereotypes and consciously recognizing difference as a valuable foundation for collaboration and artistic quality.
2. Analysis of Discriminatory Structures
Participants explore various forms of discrimination—such as classism, racism, gender-based discrimination and others —and analyze how these intersect and reinforce one another. This process fosters a deeper understanding of structural dynamics within performing arts institutions.
Participants explore various forms of discrimination—such as classism, racism, gender-based discrimination and others —and analyze how these intersect and reinforce one another. This process fosters a deeper understanding of structural dynamics within performing arts institutions.
3. Developing and Implementing Courses of Action
A central component of the training is the transfer of insights into practice. Participants reflect on their respective spheres of influence—whether in professional contexts, private life, or broader sociopolitical environments—and develop concrete, actionable strategies.
A central component of the training is the transfer of insights into practice. Participants reflect on their respective spheres of influence—whether in professional contexts, private life, or broader sociopolitical environments—and develop concrete, actionable strategies.
Examples of Courses of Action:
Power-Critical Practice
How can workspaces be shaped to be fair, respectful, and appreciative?
Which stereotypes are reproduced on stages, screens, and canvases—and how can they be consciously challenged and transformed?
How can workspaces be shaped to be fair, respectful, and appreciative?
Which stereotypes are reproduced on stages, screens, and canvases—and how can they be consciously challenged and transformed?
Engaging with Privileges and Resources
Who currently has access to performing arts institutions—and how can this access be broadened?
How can diverse perspectives and lived experiences be systematically integrated into artistic and organizational processes?
Who currently has access to performing arts institutions—and how can this access be broadened?
How can diverse perspectives and lived experiences be systematically integrated into artistic and organizational processes?
Format
The training begins with a foundational module (4–8 hours) that establishes the core concepts. Additional modules with specific focuses can be added as needed. Content is tailored to the target audience—such as management, ensembles, students, or faculty—to ensure strong relevance and direct applicability in their work context.
Key topics in the Social Justice & Diversity Training are Classism, Racism, Gender and sexism, Discrimination against people from the former GDR, Antisemitism, Ableism, Lookism and Ageism.
The training is led by two experienced facilitators. Depending on the focus, additional experts from our network may join to provide specialized perspectives and deeper expertise.
About us
Sabine Auf der Heyde is a theater director, lecturer, and social justice and diversity trainer. She combines extensive international theater experience with academic expertise and a profound understanding of social diversity. She studied theater directing at New York University and political science at Freie Universität Berlin and teaches theater, acting, and directing at universities across Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. As a certified social justice and diversity trainer, she develops workshops and training programs that help cultural institutions become more inclusive and actively drive change against discrimination.
Mirjam Kuchinke is studying psychology and works for a human rights and aid organization. Drawing on her acting studies and experience in the cultural sector, she integrates insights from psychology, artistic practice, and sociopolitical contexts into her training sessions. She completed a part-time program at the Institute for Social Justice and Diversity to become a certified Social Justice & Diversity Trainer, aiming to facilitate anti-discrimination change within the cultural sector.