www.broadwayworld.com: BroadwayWorld has learned that Tony voters will be required to complete unconscious bias training beginning this season. Members of the Tony Awards voting committee will take a free, online training session, led by inclusion strategist Vernā Myers, which will teach them how to identify unconscious or implicit bias in their decision-making processes and how to correct it.
8 comments:
Reading this article is really uplifting and exciting. To see that there’s progress made from leaders in the industry really shows that DEI issues are finally being addressed. I also appreciate this approach of completing this unconscious bias training course because I think it will have a greater impact on those involved than simply putting out banners that say “we support diversity”. Also, from what it means, the course looks very organised and well structured, which is of course through the hard work of Vernā Myers. I am also impressed and admire the works that Myers does – from working in Netflix to publishing books and being the founder of a company. To see someone implementing their beliefs in their works and using their knowledge to assist others is a strong message to us all. Just a side note, I didn’t know “inclusion strategist” was even a thing before reading this article, so, WOW
This is a huge step for the industry. For years the industry has been focused on whiteness without even thinking twice about it. This training isn’t going to solve the problems that the industry continues to face but it is certainly looking in the right direction. I don’t know how I feel about the completion of the training being self-reported. It is my hope that no one would lie about something like this but it is my expectation that at least a couple of people will not actually complete the training. I think something as simple as getting a certificate as proof would be enough. It will be interesting to see how this actually ends up shaking out and seeing if it actually helps break down any of the voters' biases. I do appreciate that the course is free, not necessarily that these people need the money but it does give me hope that the industry is also moving towards being more accessible. Accessible theatre will always mean more diverse theatre and diverse theatre is just better theatre.
I love that implicit bias is being addressed among members of the Tony voter committee. It is very important that biases are addressed even when they are unconscious biases and by implementing training like this it will hopefully even the playing field for nominated shows. Part of me is kind of surprised that this was not already done before. I am now curious as to how these Tony voters are even chosen and what parts of the industry they are pulled from? Oftentimes these committees and boards can be incredibly closed off and allow for little to no other opinions or viewpoints and I am curious as to how the people are even chosen. I will say that while this should have been done a long time ago, this is definitely a step in the right direction. It feels like a lot of award committees simply claim to support diversity and maybe nominating a handful of diverse shows to feel good. From what I can tell, this approach will hopefully actively influence change by at least making voters aware of their biases. It’s also great to hear that Vernã Myers has done so much work to improve Netflix’s implicit bias programs as this is an issue that affects not just award committees but the entertainment industry as a whole.
The promise to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion oftentimes feels like one that lacks action. With institutions all across the board claiming to be socially aware, anyone can say they are committed to cultivating diverse populations and perspectives, yet in practice that does not tend to be the case. I am happy to hear the Tony’s (often described as the Oscars for theatre) are truly taking action– a required unconscious bias training course is definitely a start. A start which, in my opinion, represents a step forward for the industry. It is important to note, however, that (again) this is a starting point. A training course will not cure the business of white supremacy culture. The work of dismantling systems of oppression (racial, gender, etc) is one that takes serious perseverance and time. But (again) requiring a course like this will hopefully serve in favor of this promise of DEI.
I think this is a really positive step forward for the Tony's. Yes, there may be some discrepancy about the execution of the training since the article says that the training completion will be self-attested, but hopefully the Tony voters will hold themselves accountable and complete the training as intended. I'm also happy to hear that other organizations like the Broadway League, American Theater Wing, and Actors' Equity had already provided some of the voters with unconscious bias training.
I also think it's interesting to see the overlap between film/television and theater here, since Verna Myers is the VP of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix. Given the books she's written and the Tony's use of her training course, it seems like she's been successful in bringing greater inclusion to the entertainment industry in the past. I hope that in the future, other awards organizations like the Oscars and the Golden Globes will undergo similar training.
I speak for many people when I say, “about time”. It is no secret that the Oscars committee has had an age-old problem with recognizing the works of POC artists and easily casting them aside because they do not fit their idea of an “Oscar nominee/winner”. Not to say that every single past winner didn’t deserve their awards and acclaim, but it's frustrating seeing the work of so many go unnoticed, lacking basic acknowledgment even. This training course is far from being a solution. A lot of things can (or rather, will) go wrong with it. People could pay their way out, skip it, just go through the motions of it, the list goes on. But it is a good start as any. This is an indication that they are willing to invest time and effort into mending some of the ways that they have been given awards until now.
Finally, “Inclusion is being asked to dance”. This newly required unconscious bias training course for the Tony voters is long overdue. Implicit bias is a very real problem and has been a subject of heavy debate and discussion for nearly all mainstream award shows in recent years, so it is very relieving to see that legitimate action is still being pushed for it in a (very white) space where people’s talent and creativity are being recognized on a highly public level. There is also the element of accountability with this training course due to its self assessment structure; the article did not really elaborate on how the legitimacy of the voters’ efforts in completing the course will be monitored or ensured. And while this training is definitely a step in the right direction, there is still much to do in terms of ensuring equity and inclusivity in the award show business.
This is a great effort from the Tony Awards. It is a really strong step forward for the organization, however, it is a practice that should have been encouraged a while ago. Why are we just talking about this now in 2022? After so many great shows have been ignored. Additionally, I am curious to see how Tony voters are chosen. Why is one voter chosen over another? How many are returning voters etc. I am sure there is implicit bias impacts over the selection of voters themselves, and that impact could be significant. Of course, theatre and the Tony Awards, like any award, is subjective. However, even if this implicit bias training is the bare minimum, it is great to see that we are taking steps to level the playing field for all theatrical artists. I hope the Tony’s continues to examine practices and other award shows follow suit and work towards inclusion.
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