I am the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Consultant for a musical heading to Broadway. (I can't reveal the title yet. Sorry!)
I am a card carrying musical theater geek so this is an absolute thrill for me.
I want to share what I said to the cast the first day I joined the rehearsal room. The content of this play is racially charged. It consists of a cast of Black and White actors. Their hearts are in the right place. They feel stressed and vulnerable yet determined to get this right.
Here's what I said:
Hello.
My name is Tania Richard. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a Haitian-American, cisgender, heterosexual human. That is my identity in this space.
Also,
I love u.
I am you in many ways.
I’m also an actor who remounted a show after this pandemic. (This ensemble originally mounted the show in 2018.)
I feel called to be here.
In addition to being an actress I am an Antiracism Consultant.
I understand that you gather in this space to tell this story, this particular story, 3 years later, after 18 months of a pandemic.
This pandemic turned theatre practitioners inside out: illness, job loss, fill in the blank…
On top of that George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Christian Cooper, Ahmad Arbery, Botham Jean...fill in the blank.
We are forever changed and more of who we are and are meant to be.
This is a crucial moment.
I am not the same person I was 18 months ago.
When I entered my rehearsal space I had to bring my whole self and everything I’d been through into the process.
I couldn’t hide it.
I shouldn't have to hide. Neither should you
This play is about a promise that never delivered.
There is pain there.
It is painful.
It’s not past pain.
It’s present pain.
And it’s in all of us.
In my rehearsals I had to ask for what I needed.
I had to speak my truth.
That is what I want for you.
This is not business as usual.
The shift has happened and it pushes us forward.
This is not a"DEI training".
This is the start of a relationship with all of you.
My purpose here is to support you in bringing your whole authentic selves into this space; this process.
I am your confidant, liaison, mirror, support.
I’m here to listen, bridge gaps, speak on your behalf, advocate and empower.
We are working in draft.
We will get things wrong. The goal is to get more things right.
You can tell me anything. I will pass it on to the proper person in order to get things done.
I am you big sister on steroids.
I will often remind you to breathe.
If and when you don’t feel safe or need a break ask for it.
At anytime you can say,
“Hold”
“I need a minute” ,"I'm not comfortable with that."
Speak from a feeling place. It's okay to feel.
Get answers. You have a right to be informed.
Now,
Wrap your arms around yourself, squeeze and repeat after me the great words of legendary teacher Martin DeMaat, "Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful me."
Here we go."Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful me."
That's right. "Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful you."
Thank you.