Dear friends, fellow artists, collaborators and supporters,
Not only this week, but in our entire history, we have seen the systematic racism of black people in our communities. Rising Sun Performance Company stands in support and solidarity with the people across the country demanding justice for the countless Black and Brown lives lost to racism and systematic and sanctioned violence.
SAY THEIR NAMES
George Floyd.
Breonna Taylor.
Ahmaud Arbery.
Sean Reed.
Tony McDade.
Nina Pop.
To our Black friends, artists, audiences, and loved ones: we see you. We see you putting in the work every single day, and we know you’re exhausted by the silence, inaction, and half-measures of your white community members. We apologize that this is the reality you wake up to every day. We apologize that we haven’t done enough to change that.
We openly acknowledge that we, as a company, must have more than just a well-intended and “woke” statement of solidarity. This is not about just spending one day posting on social media or making a one time donation to a worthy organization. What happens when the media gets bored and turns their attention elsewhere? What happens when the hum of social media quiets again? What happens when we return to the casting room, the rehearsal rooms, production meetings, and our shows? What happens when our Black artists and cohorts speak up and speak out? Do we listen? Do we incorporate it into our work and into our day to day lives?
What happens not today, not tomorrow, but in a week?
A month? 6 months? A year?
This moment is a call for RSPC, and frankly all of us, to DO MORE.
THIS is IT: the time, the opportunity, both a pause and a push to collectively think about what our values are and how to help remake the world to which we hope to return; not only in our theatre-making but also in our day to day lives by especially looking at how we can better engage with and support Black communities - who are our neighbors, friends, fellow artists, local businesses, and national organizations.
We acknowledge that each of us need to do our own work in dismantling a system that is both hundreds of years old and insidiously, deeply embedded in all of our day to day lives; Including taking a deep look at ourselves and how we perpetuate this white supremacist system from which we benefit.
We are dedicating ourselves to really, honestly, responsibly, and lovingly considering these questions:
What does it REALLY mean to be an Ally?
What does it REALLY mean to stand in solidarity?
What will we DO in ACTION in responding to these questions?
Next week our ensemble of artists will be gathering virtually to begin a series of ongoing and focused conversations about our collective processes and about how we can continue to improve upon our own working & creative culture.
We will be making an ACTION plan of what we can and will do within our own artistic community to ensure that we are not continuing to be a part of the problem.
We reaffirm our commitment & mission to foster a supportive, safe, and welcoming creative environment for both artists and audiences, and strive to do this not only in our talk but also in our walk. We know we still have much work to do. We don’t have all of the answers, and we know we will continue to make mistakes. We will hold ourselves accountable when we make those mistakes and strive to learn and change from them in relation to both past and future actions.
We encourage our white community of audiences, donors, and fellow artists to engage in this fight:
To protest. To donate. To read. To speak up. To be in active solidarity. To listen to our friends and each other.
We have compiled a list, which is by no means comprehensive, of resources that have been shared with us, which you can view on our website. We also encourage you to do your own research for resources that would be valuable for your individual journey and local community.
Audre Lord Project
Legal Help & Bail Funds List by City
Showing Up for Racial Justice: A Call to Action for White Folks
FULL LIST HERE
We wish you safety, love and strength in this time, and always.
Akia Squitieri, Founding Artistic Director
Anna Hogan, Associate Artistic Director
Rick Benson, Literary Manager
William Serri, Director of Digital & New Media and Sustainability
With the Ensemble of Rising Sun Performance Company
#BlackLivesMatter
#EndtoWhiteSilence
#SayTheirNames
Not only this week, but in our entire history, we have seen the systematic racism of black people in our communities. Rising Sun Performance Company stands in support and solidarity with the people across the country demanding justice for the countless Black and Brown lives lost to racism and systematic and sanctioned violence.
SAY THEIR NAMES
George Floyd.
Breonna Taylor.
Ahmaud Arbery.
Sean Reed.
Tony McDade.
Nina Pop.
To our Black friends, artists, audiences, and loved ones: we see you. We see you putting in the work every single day, and we know you’re exhausted by the silence, inaction, and half-measures of your white community members. We apologize that this is the reality you wake up to every day. We apologize that we haven’t done enough to change that.
We openly acknowledge that we, as a company, must have more than just a well-intended and “woke” statement of solidarity. This is not about just spending one day posting on social media or making a one time donation to a worthy organization. What happens when the media gets bored and turns their attention elsewhere? What happens when the hum of social media quiets again? What happens when we return to the casting room, the rehearsal rooms, production meetings, and our shows? What happens when our Black artists and cohorts speak up and speak out? Do we listen? Do we incorporate it into our work and into our day to day lives?
What happens not today, not tomorrow, but in a week?
A month? 6 months? A year?
This moment is a call for RSPC, and frankly all of us, to DO MORE.
THIS is IT: the time, the opportunity, both a pause and a push to collectively think about what our values are and how to help remake the world to which we hope to return; not only in our theatre-making but also in our day to day lives by especially looking at how we can better engage with and support Black communities - who are our neighbors, friends, fellow artists, local businesses, and national organizations.
We acknowledge that each of us need to do our own work in dismantling a system that is both hundreds of years old and insidiously, deeply embedded in all of our day to day lives; Including taking a deep look at ourselves and how we perpetuate this white supremacist system from which we benefit.
We are dedicating ourselves to really, honestly, responsibly, and lovingly considering these questions:
What does it REALLY mean to be an Ally?
What does it REALLY mean to stand in solidarity?
What will we DO in ACTION in responding to these questions?
Next week our ensemble of artists will be gathering virtually to begin a series of ongoing and focused conversations about our collective processes and about how we can continue to improve upon our own working & creative culture.
We will be making an ACTION plan of what we can and will do within our own artistic community to ensure that we are not continuing to be a part of the problem.
We reaffirm our commitment & mission to foster a supportive, safe, and welcoming creative environment for both artists and audiences, and strive to do this not only in our talk but also in our walk. We know we still have much work to do. We don’t have all of the answers, and we know we will continue to make mistakes. We will hold ourselves accountable when we make those mistakes and strive to learn and change from them in relation to both past and future actions.
We encourage our white community of audiences, donors, and fellow artists to engage in this fight:
To protest. To donate. To read. To speak up. To be in active solidarity. To listen to our friends and each other.
We have compiled a list, which is by no means comprehensive, of resources that have been shared with us, which you can view on our website. We also encourage you to do your own research for resources that would be valuable for your individual journey and local community.
Audre Lord Project
Legal Help & Bail Funds List by City
Showing Up for Racial Justice: A Call to Action for White Folks
FULL LIST HERE
We wish you safety, love and strength in this time, and always.
Akia Squitieri, Founding Artistic Director
Anna Hogan, Associate Artistic Director
Rick Benson, Literary Manager
William Serri, Director of Digital & New Media and Sustainability
With the Ensemble of Rising Sun Performance Company
#BlackLivesMatter
#EndtoWhiteSilence
#SayTheirNames
