Dear supporters,

Thank you so much for standing with me on this journey.

It has come to our attention that a new poster of Market Theatre’s production of Barbershop Chronicles has been released- this time with no mention of the previously announced white director. While there’s been no formal statement, this suggests that our voices have been heard—and that space has opened up for reflection.

Let me be clear: this petition was a call to challenge the repeated erasure of Black directors from stories that belong to them. Barbershop Chronicles is a celebration of Black identity, language, and experience. For it to be directed by someone outside that experience felt not only inappropriate but indicative of a deeper issue in our theatre institutions.

We now urge the Market Theatre to take this moment seriously and to act on the values it claims to uphold. That includes:

Transparent, inclusive hiring processes

A public commitment to Black artistic leadership

Ongoing engagement with the artistic community

This is not the end—this is a turning point. Let’s keep applying thoughtful pressure and demanding change that lasts. Please continue to share the petition and spread the word.

With gratitude and strength,

Pamela