For every beautiful story told in the history of musical theatre, there is also a story of systemic oppression, suppression, bullying, assault, and manipulation (Disney is especially no exception). As storytellers, we are a mirror of our experience, and thusly we have been a mirror of America.
In 2020, a year of protest and collective breath, we confronted our reflection. In our 2021 return, we must relentlessly demand that a different kind of face re-emerge in the mirror. A reflection of brown people as prominent property owners and investors in the story, not just storytellers inside the walls. A reflection that isn’t an outlier when a show has an all-female leadership team. One where people of diverse abilities, sexualities, genders, cultures, etc. have ACCESS to share in a show's investment.
So be extremely deliberate with who and what theatres/companies you invest time in. Have NO FEAR raising your voice. Have NO FEAR being vocal that you will not work for someone. We have the power to create a more dynamic story than before. We are artists, we spark creation, and we will no longer tolerate homogenous investment in the activities of our industry.
Amandla! Ngawethu!
(Power! It is ours!)