StageQ Issues Statement of Support

FOR IMMEDEATE RELEASE:

As we reflect on the beginning of pride month--a movement that began with protests and cries for systematic change--we see communities around the country, including Madison, are rising up once again and saying enough is enough. StageQ stands with you. We stand against the violence our communities of color have experienced at the hands of police and a racist system for far too long. We grieve with you the senseless losses of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Tony Robinson, and the many other Black men, women, children, and non-binary people whose lives have been tragically cut short. It is far past time for all of us to step up and to demand justice and drastic change. 

Theatre, at its best, is a platform for building empathy, fostering community, and inspiring change. Many times we have failed in this endeavor when it comes to our artists of color. In addition to denouncing racism and violence against people of color in our communities, theatre, and the art world as a whole, must look inward. We need to champion more artists of color, reflect the diversity of our communities in our organizational staff and boards, and use the stage to amplify the voices of those that need to be heard.

To our audiences, artists, and volunteers of color: we pledge to love you, to support you, to fight for you and amplify your voices, and to listen to you as you hold us accountable. We call on our StageQ family to stand with us and, if you are able, donate to and support local organizations such as Urban Triage and Freedom Inc whose activism on the front lines has been invaluable in this fight. Let us now turn words into action.

#blacklivesmatter

#blackartmatters

-StageQ Board of Directors

“How many years has it taken people to realize that we are all brothers and sisters and human beings in the human race.” - Marsha P. Johnson