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EDI and Anti-Racism Resources

BLACK LIVES MATTER

We at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre are deeply saddened and angered by the injustice the Black community continues to face. We are committed to standing together with, listening to and elevating the voices of the Black community now and at all times. 
 
We are not neutral. We reject white supremacy and racism, and we support the ongoing fight for racial equality.
 
We also recognize the systemic inequalities in our field and know that our words are only as valuable as their accompanying actions. As a service organization, we are committed not only to changing our organization, but also to evaluating, supporting and advancing the broader changes needed in the musical theatre community. We will develop concrete anti-racist actions to help move us all forward.
 
For today, we re-commit to a culture of listening and self-challenge. We as an organization cannot fulfill our mission and truly commit to our core values unless all voices are protected and elevated equally.  
 
Black Lives Matter.
 
Read our full Statement of Commitment to Racial Equity

Resources for THEATRES & PRODUCERs

A page of links on our website cannot solve systemic racism and inequality in our industry. As conversations about these issues continue, we want to provide tools and support to our member theatres as we all do the work necessary to make these changes. Gathering these resources for you is just one small step down a long road. This page is a work in progress, which we will update as often as possible. If you have anything to add, please email info@namt.org, or NAMT members can join the conversation in our Slack channel.

 

Plays and Musicals

From our friends at Concord Theatricals:

Plays Celebrating the African American Experience

Musicals Celebrating the African American Experience

Musicals Featuring Female Characters of Color

Plays Featuring Female Characters of Color

Plays by Black Writers: Stories for this Moment

 

Resources and Databases

BIPOC Arts Opera Database

Black Theatre Coalition

BIPOC Director Database

Black Directors, Choreographers, Creatives

Confronting Prejudice: How to Protect Yourself and Help Others

Creating in Color (BIPOC musicians, musical directors, and other music department positions)

Indigenous Artists Network

POC Theatre Designers and Technicians

Production On Deck

Historically Black College and University Connect job network

National Council of Nonprofits: Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Matter for Nonprofits

Racial Equity Resource Guide

55 Mental Health Resources for People of Color

Consultants and Guides

Commit to Live Inclusivity

The Woke Coach

ArtEquity

Broadway for Black Lives Matter Resource Guide

People’s Institute for Survival

Racial Equity in the Arts Innovation Lab

Racial Equity Tools Glossary

Managing Unconscious Bias

 

Actions and Advocacy

Broadway for Black Lives Matter: Public Accountability Pledge for Non-Black Members of the Theatrical Community

Broadway for Black Lives Matter: How to Start a Racial Discussion Group

Black Theatre Coalition

5 Pillars for Advancing Black Talent (PDF)

We See You White American Theater: Petition

Budget Justice (NYC-based but can be adapted for your city/state!)

 

Reactions and Testimonials

We See You White American Theater Statement and Demands

We See You White American Theater Other Writing

We See You White American Theater Instagram

Broadway for Racial Justice Instagram

Heath Saunders: What I Think About When I Hear That Broadway Is Racist

Four Black Artists on How Racism Corrodes the Theatre World (NY Times)

Griffin Matthews: Dear Amy Cooper: Broadway Is Racist

2020 TCG Virtual Conference: Jamil Jude, Monique Holt, and Nikkole Salter

Tonya Pinkins: Why I am Fed Up with Performative Activism from White and Black Theater Makers

Quiara Alegría Hudes: High Tide of Heartbreak (American Theatre)

Gene Demby: Watching A Brown Hamilton With A White Audience (NPR)

Not a Moment but a Movement: Toward an Anti-Racist American Theatre (American Theatre)

What Do Leaders Need to Understand About Diversity? (Yale Insights)

Peggy McIntosh: White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

Robin DiAngelo: How White People Handle Diversity Training in the Workplace

Ijeoma Oluo: Confronting Racism is Not About the Needs and Feelings of White People

 

Videos and Podcasts

What Does Anti-Racist Theater Look Like? (Interview with Nicole Brewer on the Variety Stagecraft podcast.)

How One Theatre Leader Practices Anti-Racism (Interview with Stephanie Ybarra on the Variety Stagecraft podcast.)

In 1 Podcast: Changing the Landscape Series Examining Race in Theatrical Design

 

Books

How to Be Black by Baratunde Thurston

How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo