Did the 'We See You, White American Theater" movement spark change? #theatre #theatre #chicago

Within weeks of the release of a video showing Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, an open letter from theater artists titled “We See You, White American Theater” emerged. The letter, signed by artists of color, contained a list of demands for the American theater, such as mandatory companywide antiracist trainings and more equitable work hours. More importantly, it put a spotlight on an industry that remained stubbornly white despite efforts to feature a more diverse and more relevant generation. The note also gave voice to thousands of artists who felt unseen and unvalued in an industry that often tokenized them for its own convenience. Soon, 50,000 artists had signed it. Today, the number of signatures tops 100,000. But what, if anything, has actually changed for theater actors, directors and behind-the-scenes creatives here in Chicago?