Ep. 6 Institutional Racism in the Theatre: Part One

It goes without saying that 2020 is not anyone's best year. However, it is the year that millions of Americans--even more specifically, theatre artists-- have had to take a hard look at the ways covert racism and anti-blackness are perpetuated throughout American culture. In the wake of protests against the murder of Black lives at the hands of police, Black artists are calling out major theatre arts institutions for claiming "wokeness" despite the lack of diversity in their hiring process, failing to address macro- & micro-aggression in their companies, and hesitating to hold their colleagues and collaborators accountable.

It's 2020. Change has been long overdue.

This time on Art Break, Carolina Xique speaks to ISC Ensemble Members, Carene Mekertichyan (who has also taken up the mantle as ISC's newly appointed Artistic Associate for Social Justice) and Sabra Williams about their careers as Black Female Artists, their social activism, and their experiences with racism in the theatre. This incredibly important conversation is one you don't want to miss.

The core value of Independent Shakespeare Co. is that theater belongs to everyone. That it is accessible and welcoming to all audiences, nurturing and fulfilling to all artists, and a place where a community can come together. We recognize that it is impossible to fulfill this mission in a society that is not safe, just, and secure for our community members who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

Therefore, we are committed to devoting resources to dismantling systems that perpetuate anti-Blackness, racism, and white supremacy, particularly within our city, our industry, and our organization.

For more information about how you can help combat anti-blackness in the Los Angeles community, please visit www.iscla.org/justice

Watch ISC's newly released video: JUNETEENTH: A Celebration, A Education, A Collaboration" https://vimeo.com/430861287

Sign the Los Angeles Theater Coalition Petition: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/los-angeles-theater-community-for-a-peoples-budget?source=direct_link&fbclid=IwAR0GgNVsDlVhaRxsG8HCg6FvX2BkkO58kz7n4LZdku_fePd8cAi1q2W5Js8

Song in the Video:

"Past Sadness" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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