OUR WORK IS REHEARSAL FOR PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY
The work of the Inheritance Theater Project has never been more relevant, or in demand. We served 7 communities coast-to-coast in 2025, but we have a 29 city waiting list. Why the demand?
87% of Americans say political polarization is a threat to America. (AP/NORC) and 86% of Americans say that they feel exhausted by the division in America. (Hidden Tribes)
But our work of using creative collaboration to bring people of all backgrounds closer together is in line with what most Americans actually want:
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88% of Americans agree that compromise is crucial for successful collaboration, and 75% say it’s important to compromise to get things done, compared to just 15% who believe it’s more important to fight for your values even if it means not finding a solution (Walton Family Foundation)
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93% of Americans say it is important to reduce divisiveness in the United States, including two-thirds who say it is very important to do so. (Public Agenda)
And the kicker:
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79% of Americans say that creating more opportunities for people to talk and interact with those who have different values and views would be effective in reducing divisiveness and destructive disagreement. (Public Agenda)
ITP’s theory of change is that when we invite people to create rather than debate with neighbors/classmates/colleagues who look, vote, pray, or afford differently, we give diverse communities a shared purpose, inviting folks to show up, collaborate, and make meaningful decisions together.
Through our creative process, participants imagine what’s possible, and act together to bring those ideas to life. Civil society, like theater, isn’t something to sit back and watch—it’s participatory; built by us, with our neighbors. In that sense, ITP provides a rehearsal for participatory democracy, demonstrating what is possible when artists lead the work of connection.