As theatre institutions continue to grapple with racial and social justice movements educators of higher learning and administrators on college campuses are tasked with integrating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEI&A) into their organizational culture in a way that is sustainable, effective, and trauma-informed. This interactive workshop introduces The Artists Heal® Method —a groundbreaking framework that supports DEI&A implementation through a holistic, trauma-informed, and anti-racist approach. Using a four-pillar structure—Self & Selfhood, Trauma-Informed Practices, Creativity, Collaboration & Communion, and Practical Tools & Pathways—this session offers a path for theatre educators, college administrators, and students to foster healing-centered classrooms strategically dismantling harmful institutional systems. Participants will explore the concepts of DIS-functionality (disorganized systems) vs. DYS-functionality (dysregulated systems) to identify patterns within their own organizations that perpetuate inequity and harm. Through guided exercises and facilitated discussion, attendees will gain practical tools for navigating classroom management, setting boundaries, and leading DEI&A work in higher education spaces. This workshop is designed for theatre educators, administrators, and those committed to DEI&A work looking to create lasting change in their organizations. Attendees will leave with tangible strategies for implementing DEI&A efforts with integrity, fostering classroom cultures that center psychological safety, and addressing institutional resistance with confidence.
