For over 15 years, Bill Rauch and the Cornerstone Theater Company have been creating theater productions that explore issues of race and prejudice. Members of the ensemble travel to communities throughout the country. They engage community members from all walks of life to help create and perform plays that reflect their local experiences and build bridges. The Company produces commissioned and contemporary works as well as classics. They are intentionally, even radically inclusive in the following ways:

• Maintain a Diverse Ensemble: At least half of Cornerstone's members are people of color. This includes directors, writers, administrators, designers and artists.
• Collaborate Throughout the Process: The ensemble as a group chooses what plays to do. They also reach out to the community in which the plays will be produced and provide the resident playwright with stories from the community. Community members and professional actors work side-by-side on stage, as equals.
• Reflect all Viewpoints: The Company tries to reflect all viewpoints, even those its members disagree with, in order to honestly represent communities and their social and cultural divisions.

In this leadership story, Bill Rauch and Cornerstone members offer examples of their productions and demonstrate how an arts organization can engage crucial community issues.