Founded in 2012, Hedgepig Ensemble Theatre reimagines the classics, creating a legacy of storytelling with gender equity at its core. By investing in the growth of our artists, we nurture an inclusive and collaborative community that creates artistically excellent work.

Our core work is Expand the Canon – a call to action for theatres to embrace and produce plays by women and non-binary writers as classics. We believe gender equity must be threaded throughout our work – on stage, back stage, and, of course, in whose stories we tell. You can hear more about the origin of the project and its aims in our podcast.

Why is this company called Hedgepig?

First Witch
Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd.

Second Witch
Thrice and once the hedge-pig whined.

Third Witch
Harpier cries “Tis time, tis time!”

-William Shakespeare’s Macbeth

The hedge is the border, the fence, the edge of comfort. It has traditionally been meant as a slur, meaning ‘less than.’ Hedgepig Ensemble Theatre brings voices from the edges of the classical canon to the forefront.

A hedgepig is a baby hedgehog, a creature that lives in the shadows beneath the hedge: guardian of the edge. It is equal parts spikey fiend and quirky friend.

The witches shouted out the lowly Hedge-pig in Macbeth. And what are witches? Powerful women who were demonized. At Hedgepig Ensemble Theatre, we honor those witches and call on the hedgepig to help us turn the world order on its side and equalize voices in the canon. And, as Harpier cries, “‘Tis time, tis time!”

A hedgepig is also a cocktail developed by Gwen Kelso and Mary Candler during Hurricane Sandy. It is 1 part vodka, 1 part grapefruit juice, 1 part seltzer, garnished with basil. Drink 3 and you’ll find yourself conjuring a theater company to life…!

Inclusion & Diversity Statement

We continually seek to expand our imagining of how to be inclusive — of individuals and of communities. For Hedgepig in this moment, diversity means inclusivity of all races, gender, religion, age, sexuality, ability, health, wealth, height, weight, education, housing, past trauma, citizenship or lack thereof. Though diversity cannot always be worn or recognized, we seek to welcome the invisible just as we do the seen.

We particularly work to include and elevate the voices of anyone who identifies either always or some of the time as a woman, as well as non-binary and gender-expansive individuals. As a company with predominantly white female leadership, we acknowledge that white feminism has often left out the voices and values of women of color, and actively seek to expand and honor those voices within our community. Throughout all aspects of our work, we joyfully include men as key allies in the search for equality and equity. Men’s investment in ending oppression is crucial, as patriarchy limits men as well as women and femmes.

Antiracism Statement & Actions

To quote Angela Davis, “In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.” Our specific anti-racist actions and commitments include:

  • A requirement for all ensemble and Board members to engage in anti-racism and anti-bias training at least once a year.

  • An audit of our vendors to ensure they follow antiracist policies.

  • A re-dedication to Expand the Canon and including plays by BIPOC writers.

As an industry, community, and ensemble, we must be luminary in the fight against racism. As an organization, we must re-examine our inner-workings and assumptions. If you have thoughts, we invite that connection through email, Facebook, Instagram, or anonymously.