We See You, White American Theatre

[unclevictor]

Posted: 2/17/21 at 11:54am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/We-See-You-White-American-Theater-Publishes-Accountability-Report-Highlighting-Theatres-Taking-Action-20210217

Here’s the latest article. A progress report. I think? 
thoughts? Not sure how much progress has been made when there’s no theatre happening... 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 2/17/21 at 12:01pm

I haven't read their entire 111 PAGE report --- but no one (that I know of) in the commercial theatre industry takes this group seriously.  Many of their "demands" (like 8 hour work days, no 2 show days, 2 days off each week, etc.) are nonstarters, and their combative tone has turned off many.  Glad to see they are having some success in the not for profit community.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 2/17/21 at 12:18pm

au contraire, Pierre

[Kad]

Posted: 2/17/21 at 1:33pm

I'm glad they call out orgs like the Broadway League and give people of color in the industry a place to sound off and find catharsis.

But as a movement/activist group, I think it's pretty toothless and seems more content to score easy social media points than engaging in any sort of direct action (and no, I don't think compiling an anonymous and unedited list of demands that range from idealistic to illegal and demanding theaters respond is "direct action").

Updated On: 2/17/21 at 01:33 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/17/21 at 2:18pm

I don't think compiling an anonymous and unedited list of demands that range from idealistic to illegal and demanding theaters respond is "direct action"

100%

[jdrye222]

Posted: 2/18/21 at 6:30pm

The documents they put out are seriously laughable as far as achieving any sense of equitable solutions to problems. It is combative in the least productive way, and while there are certainly any number of things that need to be improved in this regard, very few of them are achieved with the militant and often frequently illegal “demands” described by this nameless group.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 2/22/21 at 9:10am

I just want to be able to read the list, literally. Is there a way to read it in slide form, instead of this stupid magazine format where you have to turn the page and zoom on each one?

UPDATE: I had to download the PDF. Still hurts on the eyes to read though.

Updated On: 2/22/21 at 09:10 AM

[LarryD2]

Posted: 2/22/21 at 11:43am

Although there is certainly a greater push toward equity happening within the industry, very few people seem to take WSYWAT seriously. They shot themselves in the foot by coupling some reasonable and achievable goals with "demands" that, as others have pointed out, range from unworkable to flat-out illegal. The theater press gives them an inordinate amount of coverage because their flamboyant and ostentatious tone makes good copy. But the loudest voice in the room isn't always the one people actually listen to.

Updated On: 2/22/21 at 11:43 AM

[Owen22]

Posted: 2/22/21 at 2:19pm

LarryD2 said: "Although there is certainly a greater push toward equity happening within the industry, very few people seem to take WSYWAT seriously. They shot themselves in the foot by coupling some reasonable and achievable goals with "demands" that, as others have pointed out, range from unworkable to flat-out illegal. The theater press gives them an inordinate amount of coverage because their flamboyant and ostentatious tone makes good copy. But the loudest voice in the room isn't always the one people actually listen to."

I'm not sure about the regional theatres outside of big cities, but a lot of their (legit, non crazy) requests were taken up by the non profits years ago anyway.  Now, Broadway. Broadway itself has a big problem where POC are concerned.

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/22/21 at 3:25pm

It's disappointing that this group has squandered a fairly sizable platform on performative activism, finger-wagging and snark. They'd probably get a lot more done if they spent less time on flashy self-promotion.