Black Theatre United
Black Theatre United (BTU), a newly launched coalition of performers, directors, writers, technicians, producers, and stage managers has been created to inspire industry-wide reform and to combat industry-wide systemic racism.
At the BTU website it states: "As members of the black theatre community we stand together to help protect black people, black talent, and black lives of all shapes and orientations in theatre and communities across the country. Our voices are united to empower our community through activism in the pursuit of justice and equality for the betterment of all humanity. We need every voice lifted and every heart opened, aligned with ours to fight against racist ideologies that have divided us by devaluing our lives. We will not be silent. We will be seen. We will be heard. We are here. Join Us."
BTU’s mission includes four goals: awareness, accountability, advocacy, and action. The coalition will work at both a community level and national scale to elevate anti-racist causes, while also supporting fellow Black members of the theatre community through the formation of an inquiry committee to assess past practices in the industry, as well as the development of mentorship, scholarship, and internship opportunities for Black youth.
Among its founding members include Lisa Dawn Cave, Darius de Haas, Brandon Victor Dixon, Carin Ford, Capathia Jenkins, LaChanze, Adriane Lenox, Kenny Leon, Norm Lewis, Audra McDonald, Michael McElroy, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Wendell Pierce, Billy Porter, Phylicia Rashad, Allyson Tucker, Tamara Tunie, Lillias White, NaTasha Yvette Williams, Schele Williams, and Vanessa Williams.
Members have been joined by several artists including Viola Davis, Danielle Brooks, Daveed Diggs, Cynthia Erivo, Renée Elise Goldsberry, David Alan Grier, Samuel and LaTanya Jackson, Delroy Lindo, Leslie Uggams, and Adrienne Warren.
Two of BTU's first major initiatives will focus on the 2020 census and ensure that minority communities are represented. Tony winners McDonald and Rashad will take part in the Stacey Abrams-founded Fair Count's "Sisters Sip" Zoom happy hour on June 17; the group will also partner with Harness (started by America Ferrera, Wilmer Valderrama, and Ryan Piers Williams) to launch their #BeCounted campaign. The group's announcement comes on the heels of the Broadway Advocacy Coalition's Broadway for Black Lives Matter Again, a three-day forum. For info: joinus@blacktheatreunited.com
