We Stand With
The Wilbury Theatre Group proudly supports the efforts of the Black Lives Matter movement, and we are proud to share our platforms with Black voices onstage and off whenever possible.
STATEMENT FROM
OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Dear Friends,
Recently I found myself explaining Black Lives Matter to my kids. It was a difficult conversation, but as hard as it was for me, I know that it pales in comparison to the life-or-death conversations that Black fathers and mothers across the country are forced to have with their children every day.
The murder of George Floyd, along with Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others, is a symptom of the greater disease of racism and inequity running through every fabric of our society.
The riots we saw in Providence were not a representative of the Black Lives Matter movement, or any movement, to end this inequity. In a statement, Providence City Council President Sabina Matos says, "Last night wasn’t just an attack on brick and mortar establishments, it was an attack on the spirit and good name of our City. It was an attack on our neighbors. It was an attack on the progress so many of us are working to achieve."
At the Wilbury Group, we are committed to being part of that progress. This is why we stand in solidarity with the voices of the Black Lives Matter movement. We support the protests and we are proud to share our platforms with Black voices onstage and off whenever possible.
We are reminded that our theatre is not a building. Our theatre is made out of the voices and collaboration of individuals from many different backgrounds and walks of life. The Black artists, audiences, and supporters who are part of our theatre deserve to be heard.
As a company, we reaffirm the commitment in our Values to providing "a platform for Diverse Voices and Perspectives." We affirm our commitments to the Introspection, Reflection, Education, Advocacy, and Action necessary to support that progress.
Towards the end of our conversation about Black Lives Matter, my 7-year old daughter Raegan asked, confused, "so some people don't know about Dr. King?"
We all know, but I think it does us all well to be reminded:
"No one is free until we are all free."
Black Lives Matter. Period.
Sincerely,
Recently I found myself explaining Black Lives Matter to my kids. It was a difficult conversation, but as hard as it was for me, I know that it pales in comparison to the life-or-death conversations that Black fathers and mothers across the country are forced to have with their children every day.
The murder of George Floyd, along with Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others, is a symptom of the greater disease of racism and inequity running through every fabric of our society.
The riots we saw in Providence were not a representative of the Black Lives Matter movement, or any movement, to end this inequity. In a statement, Providence City Council President Sabina Matos says, "Last night wasn’t just an attack on brick and mortar establishments, it was an attack on the spirit and good name of our City. It was an attack on our neighbors. It was an attack on the progress so many of us are working to achieve."
At the Wilbury Group, we are committed to being part of that progress. This is why we stand in solidarity with the voices of the Black Lives Matter movement. We support the protests and we are proud to share our platforms with Black voices onstage and off whenever possible.
We are reminded that our theatre is not a building. Our theatre is made out of the voices and collaboration of individuals from many different backgrounds and walks of life. The Black artists, audiences, and supporters who are part of our theatre deserve to be heard.
As a company, we reaffirm the commitment in our Values to providing "a platform for Diverse Voices and Perspectives." We affirm our commitments to the Introspection, Reflection, Education, Advocacy, and Action necessary to support that progress.
Towards the end of our conversation about Black Lives Matter, my 7-year old daughter Raegan asked, confused, "so some people don't know about Dr. King?"
We all know, but I think it does us all well to be reminded:
"No one is free until we are all free."
Black Lives Matter. Period.
Sincerely,
Josh Short
Founder / Artistic Director
The Wilbury Theatre Group
Founder / Artistic Director
The Wilbury Theatre Group
RESOURCES + SUPPORT
Black Lives Matter
www.blacklivesmatter.com
RI Solidarity Fund
www.risolidarityfund.org
Reclaim The Block
www.reclaimtheblock.org
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
www.naacpldf.org/about-us/
OUR COMMITMENT TO
EDUCATION + IMPROVEMENT
We understand that to effect real change in our community we must start with the difficult work within our own organization.
We are committed to undertaking that work, and with the support of our Staff, Board, Resident Artists and engaged community members, we commit to:
We are committed to undertaking that work, and with the support of our Staff, Board, Resident Artists and engaged community members, we commit to:
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The creation of an Anti-Opression group made up of representatives from our Staff, Artists, Board, and Community to ensure the continued diversification of our organization at every level from the Board to the Artists on our stage Increased opportunities for continued professional bias and diversity training for Staff, Artists, and Board Members Immediate review of all production documents that include diversity statements, and the addition for any the oversight of any that do not Increasing our efforts to establish partnerships with more organizations run by, focused on, or champions of poc Specialized theatre training around issues of racial diversity and inclusion Continued efforts in showcasing works by artists of color Continued focus on hiring Persons of Color in all production roles, with a focus on leadership positions Continued efforts in perpetuating safe working, learning, and community spaces at Wilbury with a zero percent (0%) tolerance on behaviors that discriminate, harass, or oppress A promise by all Wilburys to educate ourselves and better ourselves towards the understanding and betterment of our kin of color. |
For The Wilbury Theatre Group and the field of regional theatre, we have a lot of work to. Our mission has always been to reflect the community we serve and to harness the power of art to transform society. We cannot be neutral or silent along the way.
Want to be part of our work towards change?
Contact Artistic Director Josh Short directly at josh@thewilburygroup.org, or General Manager Max Ponticelli directly at max@thewilburygroup.org.
To the people of color in our community and our country: We see you. We stand with you, we are listening, and like many, we will also always strive to do better.
Want to be part of our work towards change?
Contact Artistic Director Josh Short directly at josh@thewilburygroup.org, or General Manager Max Ponticelli directly at max@thewilburygroup.org.
To the people of color in our community and our country: We see you. We stand with you, we are listening, and like many, we will also always strive to do better.
