The Full Story
About
Center Stage Productions is a non-profit youth theater company whose board of directors and staff are committed to fairness and equal opportunity for all performers - every gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, religion, race, and ethnicity.
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Center Stage Productions was started in 2004 by six women in San Diego County - Delnora, Gia, Coni, Tiffini, Mandy, and Lisa - who wanted to change the way shows were cast in their local youth theaters. They believed in an ethical and impartial casting process that gave equal opportunity to every performer. Their commitment to fairness and equal treatment has turned into three guiding principles that makes Center Stage Productions a leader in San Diego County youth theater:
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anyone who wants to perform can; we do not make cuts
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every request for tuition aid is granted
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to continue our long history of non-traditional casting that gives equal opportunity to every gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, religion, race, and ethnicity
Mission, Vision & Values
Our Mission: To empower young people through inclusive, high-quality musical theater experiences that build confidence, creativity, belonging, and leadership in a safe and supportive community.
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Our Vision: To be Southern California’s premier inclusive youth theater organization, where every young person has the opportunity to shine on stage, grow as a leader, and experience the life-changing power of the performing arts.
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Our Values:
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1. Inclusion & Belonging
We welcome and celebrate every young person, ensuring all feel seen, valued, and empowered.
2. Safety & Well-Being
We protect the physical, emotional, and social well-being of our students, families, staff, and volunteers.
3. Artistic Excellence
We pursue high-quality performances and instruction that inspire growth, discipline, and pride.
4. Youth Development
We use theater to build confidence, communication skills, resilience, creativity, and leadership.
5. Community
We strengthen connections within our theater family and the broader community through collaboration and service.
6. Integrity
We lead with honesty, accountability, transparency, and respect in all relationships.
7. Accessibility
We work to remove financial, physical, and social barriers so every child can participate.
8. Sustainability
We steward resources wisely to ensure Center Stage Productions thrives for generations to come.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
As a community youth theater organization, we have a responsibility to those we serve. For more than 15 years, Center Stage Productions has used our founding principles as an inspiration, looking to our commitment to fair and equal opportunity for all performers to guide our operations. Anyone who wants to perform will find a home on our stage.
Education in the arts is incredibly vital for our youth, now more so than ever. And yet, systemic inequality, both conscious and unconscious both past and present, has built a community that provides unequal access to arts education resources and opportunities for those who seek them. We can do better. We must do better. And we will do better.
CSP is committed to taking actionable steps towards a better future for our community - making meaningful change to our organization to guarantee that we continue to build a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable space for all.
Our Commitments:
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Seeking out a more diverse student body
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Add more diverse voices to leadership boards
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Make programming more accessible financially
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Provide EDI and other educational training to leaders in the CSP community
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Provide more diverse programming and educational opportunities
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Actively seek feedback from the CSP community
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Be open to change as our understanding deepens
Moving forward, it is of vital importance to us that we prioritize these goals. We know there is incredible potential in our community, and within our organization. Every single day, we will strive to work towards these aims, and work to better the future of our community and beyond.
