BLKLST: A Virtual Green Book

Community Safety

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

Abuse of power, harmful acts of emotional and physical violence, exploitation and instances of blatant disregard have run rampant in the Los Angeles theatre scene. As theatremakers and Angelenos ourselves, we have experienced and witnessed some of the most harmful treatment at the hands of institutions who run unopposed or without accountability mechanisms to ensure these behaviors never happen again. Within the past year, influential theatremakers such as Dominique Morriseau and Jeremy O'Harris, have pulled their works, citing discrimination and unresolved abuse at the hands of institutional leaders. If these acts happen to the most revered, who is to advocate for those not yet renowned? We look to serve the underserved, micro-aggressed, and mistreated by equipping them with the tools to make informed decisions on where to spend/exercise their artistic agency. Not having a safe workspace is mentally and emotionally detrimental.

Just as the The Negro Motorist Green Book looked to guide POC to safety, so too does BLKLST endeavor to lessen the harm enacted to BIPOC creatives. We have created a mechanism of accountability called the BLKLST. Using qualitative, and quantitative data, we showcase measures made by theatre nonprofits to ensure they are adhering to the Los Angeles Anti-Racist Theatre Standards (which we have co-authored) they have committed to upholding. Data justice being our main act of care, we would use funds to source, mine, and maintain all the data we would need to maintain the platform. This includes staffing, website maintenance and care, designers, and community outreach in the form of Restorative Justice Circles.

We are grateful to say that we have already seen the positive effects of the BLKLST and are eager to expand. In the future, we look to deepen this work by maintaining and keeping data as up to date as possible. Another goal is to expand our involvement with theatres by ensuring a timely and accurate bi-annual check-in by guiding when needed and engaging with institutional leaders on their anti-racist endeavors. With our burgeoning Preventative Care methods, to help prevent further harm by bringing our unique lens to issues that might arrive between a theatre and theatremakers. This would take form of Restorative Justice sessions or conversations that address the issue at hand and create actionable steps to move forward safely and justly. Our goal is to ensure that we are a staple in the larger Los Angeles theatre and beyond by solidifying ourselves as advocates and trustworthy mechanism of community oversight and accountability. Ultimately, it's our hope that theatremakers feel safe.

BLKLST measures our impact based on individual and community feedback. BLKLST co-created and campaigned for the LA Anti-Racist Theatre Standards (LA ARTS) that saw a minimum of 65 companies/organizations commit, including Center Theatre Group, Pasadena Playhouse, Hollywood Fringe Festival, and A Noise Within. Out of those who committed to the standards we had significant involvement in our bi-annual check-in which illustrates our significant role in providing timely information to our larger community. Most recently through our burgeoning Preventative Care initiative, we were able to keep artists safe by contacting Theatricum Botanicum after a concerned member of that institution reached out to us for help. We were able to guide the creative team to Cultural Competency Officers, as well as advocate for a dramaturg whose lens closely aligned with the story's vision to maintain artistic integrity and safety. Ultimately, they made adjustments and our community expressed immense gratitude.