When Stephen C. Byrd began producing on Broadway 16 years ago, he and his partner Alia Jones-Harvey were usually the only Black faces they saw in the business. “We would walk into marketing offices…
When Stephen C. Byrd began producing on Broadway 16 years ago, he and his partner Alia Jones-Harvey were usually the only Black faces they saw in the business. “We would walk into marketing offices, PR firms, general management offices, and there was no one that looked like us, ever,” Byrd recalls. “We would question it when we went in. ‘Why aren’t there people of color here?’ We felt strange sitting at the table.
The Great White Way has, since its inception, been exactly that — mostly white: There are few people of color, and the industry’s prime ticket-buying demographic remains predominantly white as well. The sweeping efforts underway aim to change the face of Broadway at last, from the stories told onstage to the decision-makers behind the curtain to the audiences who fill the seats.
“We knew we had a platform together, and there was some influence there that collectively we could wield,” says another BTU co-founder, Schele Williams, a director at work on a reimagined production of Disney’s “Aida” as well as a musical adaptation of “The Notebook.” “We needed to insist that our industry not only have the conversations but really have some structures and some accountability.”
Joint commitments across all groups include the abolishment of unpaid internships; support for an industrywide digital training program for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging that theater owners will develop this fall; and the promise never to discriminate against anyone due to hair texture. Overall, the New Deal document encompasses more than 10 pages of specific commitments, with further summit meetings planned once every six months through 2024.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Column: Reintroducing the series 'Black L.A.: Looking at Diversity,' 39 years later'While Black people did indeed make great strides ... the media’s portrayal of us was still mostly 2-dimensional: the tragedy of rising crime & failing schools, or the glittery exploits of professional athletes and rich entertainers,' writes SandyBanksLA
Weiterlesen »
Amazon Is Releasing Epic Daily Deals This Month And It Feels Like Black Friday Came EarlyNew deals throughout the month on brands you love, and savings *right now* on AirPods, Kindles, Beats headphones, Le Creuset, and more.
Weiterlesen »
Bubba Wallace becomes 1st Black driver to win NASCAR Cup Series since 1963Bubba Wallace made history by becoming just the second Black driver to win NASCAR's Cup Series race, matching 1963 winner Wendell Scott's rare accomplishment
Weiterlesen »
With “Yung Everything,” Deto Black Is Poised for World Domination'I just want girls to feel strong. I want people to start seeing their feminine side as powerful, strong, and free—nobody should ignore that side.' - DetoBlack
Weiterlesen »
Bubba Wallace becomes first Black driver to win top NASCAR race since 1963Wallace became just the second Black driver to win at NASCAR's top Cup Series level when rain stopped Monday's playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway.
Weiterlesen »
Bubba Wallace becomes 1st Black driver to win NASCAR Cup race since 1963“Stay strong. Stay humble. Stay hungry. Been plenty of times when I wanted to give up,' he said after the win.
Weiterlesen »