CMU School of Drama


Wednesday, December 02, 2020

New Theatre Producers of Color Group Sets Mentorship Program

Deadline: The newly formed Theatre Producers of Color organization announced today its first educational program to support and mentor the next generation of BIPOC producers. The 10-week, limited-space program will be tuition free.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I saw a different article about this same course. I went to their homepage and read about the mentorship program and this course is a freaking dream. I am very jealous and I think that the Theater Producers of Color are demonstrating what equity and equality look like. This is a great example of equity because this sort of opportunity does not exist for BIPOC, and free teaching from some of the most successful BIPOC of commercial producing is amazing. I would agree wholeheartedly that opportunities for learning about how to become a commercial producer are inaccessible and out of reach, and this is a huge opportunity to even the playing field. Especially considering how dead broadway is right now, teaching the next generation is such an awesome opportunity and people actually have the time. Hopefully this is the first of many, I saw another opportunity for a scholarship for BIPOC in stage management made by an incredible BIPOC stage manager of broadway. These feel like the first of many awesome opportunities being created to even the playing field. I wish I saw more white people creating these opportunities though.

Akshatha S said...

I love that they are choosing to release courses such as this one. I honestly had no clue how one can become a producer or frankly who can even have the opportunity to become a producer. In my eyes I always thought a producer had to be someone who has already come from a lot of money and is willing to invest that into a show. These courses are perfect to inspire the next generation as well as share the experiences of people of color in this profession. Seeing people of color be the leaders of this program is inspiring to see as it always seems like theatre is white mans land that some people of color are just "lucky" to be a part of. I also love that this course is tuition free as it can make it so much more accessible to young people through out the country, perhaps inspiring them to make a career in this. Currently I am worried about the next generation of theatre artist as it does seem like a lot of people are second guessing entering this industry when there is a chance for the entire industry to shut down for a year and a half maybe 2. I think it is scary for people of color to enter a field that does not feel as secure with the money as they do not have access to old family money to rely on. I hope there are many many more mentorship programs like this one that just educate people on how the industry works and how to navigate it.