Our Cultural, Equity & Inclusion Statement
The cast of FLEX
You would be hard-pressed to find a theatre company more committed to equity and inclusion than HERO Theatre.
Since our founding 14 years ago, HERO Theatre has cultivated a vibrant, inclusive community of artists. We believe that truthful and authentic representation—across race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, body size, and belief—leads to richer collaborations and more impactful storytelling. This commitment to inclusion benefits not only our artists but also our audiences. Audiences are invited to see America as we do through the stories we tell onstage.
The inspiration for HERO Theatre was born backstage at the Laura Pels Theatre during the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore. Backstage, Olympia Dukakis turned to her castmate, Puerto Rican artist Elisa Bocanegra, and asked, “Why do you look so sad all the time?”
Bocanegra confided in Dukakis that the lack of equity and inclusion in the theatre world deeply disheartened her. “There are so many actors of color in need of opportunity,” she said. She also shared her frustration that many of her friends lacked access to advanced training and were being overlooked because alternative pathways to professional development were not valued. Dukakis responded, “Elisa, it’s time for you to hustle and start your own company—a place where you can grow and help others like you.” And so, HERO Theatre was born.
Founded in 2011, HERO Theatre is a social and environmental justice theatre company that uses art to model and accelerate social progress by championing voices that must be heard—now.
Since our founding 14 years ago, HERO Theatre has cultivated a vibrant, inclusive community of artists. We believe that truthful and authentic representation—across race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, body size, and belief—leads to richer collaborations and more impactful storytelling. This commitment to inclusion benefits not only our artists but also our audiences. Audiences are invited to see America as we do through the stories we tell onstage.
The inspiration for HERO Theatre was born backstage at the Laura Pels Theatre during the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore. Backstage, Olympia Dukakis turned to her castmate, Puerto Rican artist Elisa Bocanegra, and asked, “Why do you look so sad all the time?”
Bocanegra confided in Dukakis that the lack of equity and inclusion in the theatre world deeply disheartened her. “There are so many actors of color in need of opportunity,” she said. She also shared her frustration that many of her friends lacked access to advanced training and were being overlooked because alternative pathways to professional development were not valued. Dukakis responded, “Elisa, it’s time for you to hustle and start your own company—a place where you can grow and help others like you.” And so, HERO Theatre was born.
Founded in 2011, HERO Theatre is a social and environmental justice theatre company that uses art to model and accelerate social progress by championing voices that must be heard—now.
LA Times coverage of Festival Irene: Honoring the Legacy of Playwright María Irene Fornés
Our Programming and Mentorship
Through our programming, HERO Theatre always seeks to give back. Our efforts to bring art into the community has resulted in partnerships with Inner-City Arts and Homeboy Industries. With Bocanegra at the helm, HERO has taught classes on writing and performing, encouraging youths to bring their own stories to life.
Additionally, HERO has held benefits for different causes close to our hearts. In 2019, HERO created The Super Sábado Show. Inspired by our favorite classic comedy shows, Saturday Night Live and Sábado Gigante, The Super Sábado Show takes a comedic look at the United States' support of Puerto Rico post Hurricane Maria. All ticket sales benefited HERO Theatre's efforts for Puerto Rico including a new education program for children and youth on the island who were affected by the hurricane.
HERO Theatre also started The Olympia Dukakis Mentorship Program, now in its eighth year, to invest in the next generation of artists. This rigorous mentorship program is designed to nurture and develop the skills of aspiring artists, actors, and arts administrators. Named after our founder's mentor Olympia Dukakis, the mentorship program hosts college students from around the country, including specific historical black colleges.
Mentees are provided the opportunity to learn from actors, directors, and producers in the field and receive one-on-one mentorship from our artistic director Elisa Bocanegra.
Those who complete the Mentorship Program are invited to be a part of HERO Theatre's newest program – HERO Ignite, which amplifies the voices of youth in America today. These early-career artists will carry on the legacy of HERO Theatre as they work to take the values of inclusion with them to champion underrepresented artists both at HERO and in the theatre scene beyond.
Our Programming and Mentorship
Through our programming, HERO Theatre always seeks to give back. Our efforts to bring art into the community has resulted in partnerships with Inner-City Arts and Homeboy Industries. With Bocanegra at the helm, HERO has taught classes on writing and performing, encouraging youths to bring their own stories to life.
Additionally, HERO has held benefits for different causes close to our hearts. In 2019, HERO created The Super Sábado Show. Inspired by our favorite classic comedy shows, Saturday Night Live and Sábado Gigante, The Super Sábado Show takes a comedic look at the United States' support of Puerto Rico post Hurricane Maria. All ticket sales benefited HERO Theatre's efforts for Puerto Rico including a new education program for children and youth on the island who were affected by the hurricane.
HERO Theatre also started The Olympia Dukakis Mentorship Program, now in its eighth year, to invest in the next generation of artists. This rigorous mentorship program is designed to nurture and develop the skills of aspiring artists, actors, and arts administrators. Named after our founder's mentor Olympia Dukakis, the mentorship program hosts college students from around the country, including specific historical black colleges.
Mentees are provided the opportunity to learn from actors, directors, and producers in the field and receive one-on-one mentorship from our artistic director Elisa Bocanegra.
Those who complete the Mentorship Program are invited to be a part of HERO Theatre's newest program – HERO Ignite, which amplifies the voices of youth in America today. These early-career artists will carry on the legacy of HERO Theatre as they work to take the values of inclusion with them to champion underrepresented artists both at HERO and in the theatre scene beyond.
Mentorship program alumni & participants
Our Staff
Many of those who have gone through our Mentorship Program now serve on HERO Theatre’s Leadership Team and Board of Directors. Our staffing model is unique in that we do not see age as a barrier to leadership. HERO Theatre has always believed in the power and insight of youth. Most of our team members are in their mid to late 20s, bringing a fresh perspective and a deep understanding of how to engage with younger, more diverse audiences.
Because our Mentorship Program intentionally recruits students from a wide range of backgrounds, schools, and regions, that same diversity is reflected in our staff. This intergenerational, multicultural team is one of HERO’s greatest strengths.
Our BoardHERO Theatre’s Board of Directors and Advisory Council bring together a powerhouse of professionals whose expertise and lived experience have helped guide the company’s growth over the past decade. Among our board members are:
Our ArtistsA central part of HERO Theatre’s mission is to elevate the work of BIMPOC playwrights and help integrate their voices into the American theatrical canon. In pursuit of this vision, we’ve cultivated a vibrant community of dedicated, diverse artists. HERO has proudly produced the works of María Irene Fornés, Eduardo Machado, Velina Hasu Houston, and Amina Henry—among others—bringing their stories to new audiences and helping redefine what is considered "classic" in American theatre.
Our AudiencesHERO Theatre is deeply committed to community engagement and accessibility. We work to make our productions available to underrepresented communities through free and discounted tickets, grassroots outreach, and intentional partnerships.
For our last pre-pandemic production, TROY by Kilroy-winning playwright Amina Henry—based on real stories of homelessness in Los Angeles—we received a foundation grant to help cover production costs. Through additional grassroots fundraising, we were able to provide free tickets, round-trip transportation, and concessions for women living in shelters. Our partnership with these shelters continues: most recently, we welcomed their residents to our production of NOTHING, NOTHING, a Black adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing set in a Baptist church. The play centered Black women and joy, furthering our commitment to inclusive and affirming storytelling.
This kind of outreach is not new to us. In 2015, HERO produced The Clifford Odets Project—a trilogy featuring Waiting for Lefty, Golden Boy, and Awake and Sing—with a cast made up primarily of Black and Latine artists. We conducted extensive outreach to labor union workers across Los Angeles, including longshore workers, agricultural laborers, and members of the Spanish-speaking carpenters’ union, all of whom were invited to attend at no cost.
To further expand access, HERO offers discounted student tickets to every performance, encouraging younger audiences to engage with the arts. In 2022, we began offering ASL-interpreted performances, starting with our production of Tea by Velina Hasu Houston.
Many of those who have gone through our Mentorship Program now serve on HERO Theatre’s Leadership Team and Board of Directors. Our staffing model is unique in that we do not see age as a barrier to leadership. HERO Theatre has always believed in the power and insight of youth. Most of our team members are in their mid to late 20s, bringing a fresh perspective and a deep understanding of how to engage with younger, more diverse audiences.
Because our Mentorship Program intentionally recruits students from a wide range of backgrounds, schools, and regions, that same diversity is reflected in our staff. This intergenerational, multicultural team is one of HERO’s greatest strengths.
Our BoardHERO Theatre’s Board of Directors and Advisory Council bring together a powerhouse of professionals whose expertise and lived experience have helped guide the company’s growth over the past decade. Among our board members are:
- Brian Dobbins, executive producer of ABC’s Black-ish
- Mario Ontal, seasoned filmmaker and editor
- Maggie Dick, veteran costume designer
Our ArtistsA central part of HERO Theatre’s mission is to elevate the work of BIMPOC playwrights and help integrate their voices into the American theatrical canon. In pursuit of this vision, we’ve cultivated a vibrant community of dedicated, diverse artists. HERO has proudly produced the works of María Irene Fornés, Eduardo Machado, Velina Hasu Houston, and Amina Henry—among others—bringing their stories to new audiences and helping redefine what is considered "classic" in American theatre.
Our AudiencesHERO Theatre is deeply committed to community engagement and accessibility. We work to make our productions available to underrepresented communities through free and discounted tickets, grassroots outreach, and intentional partnerships.
For our last pre-pandemic production, TROY by Kilroy-winning playwright Amina Henry—based on real stories of homelessness in Los Angeles—we received a foundation grant to help cover production costs. Through additional grassroots fundraising, we were able to provide free tickets, round-trip transportation, and concessions for women living in shelters. Our partnership with these shelters continues: most recently, we welcomed their residents to our production of NOTHING, NOTHING, a Black adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing set in a Baptist church. The play centered Black women and joy, furthering our commitment to inclusive and affirming storytelling.
This kind of outreach is not new to us. In 2015, HERO produced The Clifford Odets Project—a trilogy featuring Waiting for Lefty, Golden Boy, and Awake and Sing—with a cast made up primarily of Black and Latine artists. We conducted extensive outreach to labor union workers across Los Angeles, including longshore workers, agricultural laborers, and members of the Spanish-speaking carpenters’ union, all of whom were invited to attend at no cost.
To further expand access, HERO offers discounted student tickets to every performance, encouraging younger audiences to engage with the arts. In 2022, we began offering ASL-interpreted performances, starting with our production of Tea by Velina Hasu Houston.
