With the recent and tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, we’ve seen a massive outcry across the world for justice and equality that is too long overdue. Communities of color have come forward to plainly and sincerely express the dire need for anti-racism and a true embodiment of allyship.
As an extension of this global call to action, our theatrical community has seen an outpouring of experiences detailing the persistent and unchecked practices that have continued to marginalize performers of color. These artists have asked allies for recognition and accountability among their artistic peers, greater personal commitment to educate themselves on issues for communities of color, and direct action in speaking out against and changing the issues that exist for performers of color.
So, what’s next? We’ve seen more honest and direct discourse emerge on the topic. That’s a start, but more work is needed. Across our local theatrical community, additional questions have surfaced about what can be done to make real and impactful change within our organizations. How can we do this and do it correctly?
From patrons to prop masters to performers – those who love theater have the tools to make possible the changes we need in our artistic community. As we look to repair and evolve our community’s damaged relationship with representing, respecting, and valuing contributors of color, we need to look at the lessons theater has already taught us. By its nature, theater requires immense vulnerability, investment, empathy, and trust from audience, production, administration, tech, and cast. Everyone is an active participant. We know how to engage in the habits, processes, and mentalities that bear the most extraordinary, abundant, and influential fruit. We know how to do this work.
Watching theater means we surrender ourselves to a moment in time. We focus and open ourselves up. We are present. We sit quietly – actively listening, digesting, and understanding. We accept new insights and experiences. We invest our time, attention, and emotions. We invite its intimacy. We welcome discomfort and conflict. We commune with each other – strangers in the dark. Our breathing patterns synchronize. We respect each other’s reactions and feelings. We cry in front of strangers and listen to them cry. We practice solidarity. We become one voice.
Working on theater – onstage or off – means we exercise an unfathomable amount of faith. We give ourselves completely to a process that requires every single person do their part for the success of the whole. We make commitments to each other. We practice follow through on our commitments. We pay attention to each other’s needs and think on our feet. We face challenges that sometimes feel overwhelming and insurmountable and, together, find creative solutions. We are collaborative. We let others teach and guide us. We openly express and receive constructive criticism out of a desire to make each of us our very best. We empower each other to be bold and fearless. We share our souls. We give freely our valuable time, talents, and expertise because we know the beauty we will create if we all work together.
This is what makes theater so innately and uniquely part of the human experience. Theater is a living thing. It’s precious. It’s ephemeral. It’s singular. That’s why we love it. Together, we nurture, value, and protect it. If we approach our community’s relationship to performers of color and other underserved groups in the same way we approach making theater, we will find our way through.
I won’t sugar coat it. The road ahead will be full of discomfort, vulnerability, and reflection. We need to lean into that feeling. Mistakes will be made and accountability required. More discomfort, vulnerability, and reflection. This is the work of life – growth. If we truly commit ourselves to this purpose and use the tools our artistic lives have given us, I believe that our theatrical community can change and have a profound impact on the future.
Written by Simmon Fecho
Image by Racial Unity Team
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