DEIA Statement for Short North Stage
The beauty of live theater is in bringing people together. Our goal at Short North Stage is to do that in a meaningful way. Whether you are in the audience, a cast member, on the creative team, in the band, working backstage, or on our staff; it is extremely important to us that we are creating a space for all people to feel included, safe, heard, engaged, supported, valued, and affirmed. We are committed to putting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at the center of everything we do from casting to programming to the expansion of physical accessibility for our audience. Listening, learning, and taking action are important to us as we work together with our community to grow into a stronger theater company that reflects the rich fabric of Columbus. At Short North Stage we are committed to this intentional work and have begun initiatives to enhance our knowledge, address and unlearn personal biases, practice inclusive behaviors, and create positive experiences for everyone who enters our space. Thank you for your support and patience as we continue this perpetual work.
DEIA INITIATIVES
The work will be continuous. Here is what we are doing now:
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Staff trainings throughout the season.
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Cast, crew, creative team workshops for each show focused on Adaptive Strategies, Implicit Bias, and more.
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Resident Culture and Diversity Management Consultant on staff from The Ohio REST Collective.
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Engaging in continuous conversations with the community.
Director of Development
Jared J. Riley
Jared Riley (he/him) joined Short North Stage as their inaugural Director of Development in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising. Prior to this role, Jared spent nearly a decade at The Ohio State University, where he played a pivotal role in advancing the institution's mission through innovative development and fundraising initiatives.
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At The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Jared excelled as the donor relations and stewardship coordinator, where he forged strong relationships with donors and sponsors to enhance philanthropic support. His efforts included orchestrating impactful live and virtual events that achieved engagement and revenue goals.
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Most recently, Jared served at the Wexner Center for the Arts, where he held key positions as director of donor relations and director of advancement operations. In these roles, he was instrumental in shaping the center's philanthropic strategies and outcomes. For a period of time, he served as co-interim head of advancement, collaborating closely with the executive director to lead efforts to enhance the center's reputation and resources. His leadership there was marked by successful fundraising and strategic planning efforts that significantly benefited OSU and the Columbus art scene.
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In addition to his professional accomplishments, Jared has demonstrated his commitment to the arts as the former Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the Actors' Theatre of Columbus.
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Jared holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Theatre and a Master of Public Administration with a focus on Nonprofit Management, both from Ohio State. His extensive expertise in development, strategic leadership, and team building positions him as a distinguished leader in the nonprofit sector.