Hana Sharif out as Artistic Director at Arena Stage — Page 3
Posted: 7/10/26 at 8:44am
Ensemble1698878795 said: "SeanD2 said: "Kad said: ""White acknowledged that he saw people leave meetings with Sharif in tears, but does not think it was right to blame her. “It’s not about her behavior; it’s about their ability to receive,” he told DCTA."
This is a wild statement. White does a remarkably terrible job of defending Sharif throughout this."
Based on all of White’s comments in this defending Sharif’s behavior I’m terrified for the future of Wooly Mammoth!"
Of course you’re concerned. Because when Black folks who don’t agree with the white majority are in places of power, they are usually forced out like Sharif. God forbid Reggie have a different experience of her, he’s something to be “concerned about.” This kind of commentary is exactly the mindset of these institutions. Sure you can lead, but don’t step too far out of line from our morals and vision. It’s so tired. So exhausting and so racist. But you folks actually don’t care. You like it this way."
Sharif supporters seem to live in an alternate reality where she couldn't possibly fail the institution, no matter what she did. The institution could only fail her.
Posted: 7/10/26 at 11:25am
Ensemble1698878795 said: "
Of course you’re concerned. Because when Black folks who don’t agree with the white majority are in places of power, they are usually forced out like Sharif. God forbid Reggie have a different experience of her, he’s something to be “concerned about.” This kind of commentary is exactly the mindset of these institutions. Sure you can lead, but don’t step too far out of line from our morals and vision. It’s so tired. So exhausting and so racist. But you folks actually don’t care. You like it this way."
It says a lot that the only people from Arena who are defending Sharif are two people who she had pre-existing personal relationships with and essentially handed jobs to, plus one anonymous staffer. That's not Reggie having a "different experience", that's Reggie having the privilege of being a long-time friend of hers and not being subjected to the same abuse that she inflicted on others - as well as Reggie choosing to downplay it, ignore it, and make excuses for it when he sees it happening to others.
When the only people defending you are your close friends, and everybody else (including people of color) saw a different side of Hana that Reggie and Raiyon apparently couldn't, it becomes pretty obvious where the problem is.
Posted: 7/10/26 at 1:16pm
AC126748 said: "Ensemble1698878795 said: "SeanD2 said: "Kad said: ""White acknowledged that he saw people leave meetings with Sharif in tears, but does not think it was right to blame her. “It’s not about her behavior; it’s about their ability to receive,” he told DCTA."
This is a wild statement. White does a remarkably terrible job of defending Sharif throughout this."
Based on all of White’s comments in this defending Sharif’s behavior I’m terrified for the future of Wooly Mammoth!"
Of course you’re concerned. Because when Black folks who don’t agree with the white majority are in places of power, they are usually forced out like Sharif. God forbid Reggie have a different experience of her, he’s something to be “concerned about.” This kind of commentary is exactly the mindset of these institutions. Sure you can lead, but don’t step too far out of line from our morals and vision. It’s so tired. So exhausting and so racist. But you folks actually don’t care. You like it this way."
Sharif supporters seem to live in an alternate realitywhere she couldn't possibly fail the institution, no matter what she did. The institution could only fail her."
Not true. I'm not saying the woman is perfect. I'm saying a lot of you on this board are not on the theater boards these Black leaders have to deal with. White fragility does not always equal truth. Just because things are different under new leadership doesn't mean the new blood is "difficult" -a label Black women are typically assigned when they don't say yes to every order. Two things can be true. If she's not a great leader then the institutions should stop hiring her, but to be "worried" about someone's leadership because they support her is foolish.
I know you all don't like admit that racial dynamics are in play here, but they always are. Just because you don't live it doesn't mean it's not real. She was the first Black woman to ever lead that institution in a predominantly Black area. What does that say?
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