“This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.”
-Toni Morrison

We, the undersigned, hereby pledge our resources, relationships, and creative work as theatremakers toward ending the scourge of gun violence. 

Over the past month, mass shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo have refocused media coverage of gun violence, though the sheer volume of mass shootings means that many barely attract national attention. Over the past weekend alone, at least seven mass shootings occurred, resulting in 11 deaths and 54 injuries. 

Yet the horrific toll of mass shootings is only part of the epidemic of gun violence in this country. The U.S. ratio of 120.5 firearms per 100 residents exceeds that of every other country, and U.S. citizens are more than three times as likely to die by gun than the global average. “Active shooter” attacks are rising, as is the gun violence experienced by children. Gun violence falls disproportionately hard on Black communities, especially young Black men, for whom it is the leading cause of death. Gun violence also disproportionately impacts women facing domestic violence. Gun violence is not only amplified by white supremacy and misogyny, but is inextricably linked to slavery and genocide.

As leaders in the performing arts field we have a responsibility for the safety of the people we gather: artists, audiences, stage crew, volunteers, and students and teachers in our school-based education programs. As storytellers, we have the power to change narratives of violence that are deeply rooted in our country. Our elected officials need to hear our voice: their inaction is unacceptable, and they must enact policies like universal background checks, safe storage, red flag laws, and banning assault weapons and large capacity magazines. And like all movements that produce real change, it will also take protest, direct action, civil disobedience, getting out the vote, education, and, above all, uprooting the systems of violence upon which our country was founded.

We, the undersigned, commit to taking these actions and invite all theatremakers to do the same by signing this statement. UPDATED ways to get involved:

1. Seek out a local non-profit working to end gun violence in your community. Commit to a partnership with them over the course of next season by inviting the organization to gather in your space bi-monthy and create regular opportunities where they can interface with your audiences.

2. Inquire what 3 things your local gun safety non-profit needs the most help with and consider how the theatre can leverage its resources to assist.

3. Complete this action alert to contact your representatives and let them know why ending gun violence matters to you. 

This statement is just a first step of a larger organizing effort within the theatre field to confront the gun violence epidemic, and over the coming weeks, we’ll share more ways to get involved. Please sign to join us in using the power we have as people, as theatremakers, and as a theatre movement, to help end gun violence.