Parity & Expand the Canon @ 2025 RISE SUMMIT

Featuring Ludovica!

Parity Productions is excited to be co-presenting a panel  with Expand the Canon at this years  2025 RISE SUMMIT on September 9th!  With many equity-focused tools already available, what's stopping the industry from using them, and how do we collectively shift from access in theory to access in practice?  This panel explores the resources attempting to shape a more inclusive industry. What's working, what's missing, and what support is needed to move from intention and aspiration to sustained action and systemic change? Panelists will discuss some of the practical resources already available, the barriers to their use, and how organizations within the RISE network and out of it can better collaborate to promote one another's efforts. With an emphasis on accountability, awareness, and action, this session aims to explore with the audience how we move forward without reinventing the wheel. FEATURING: Lee Bynum from RISE THEATRE - Moderator  Emily Lyon from EXPAND THE CANON- Panel Co-Host and Speaker Maria Porto from ACCESS BROADWAY - Special Guest Panelist Ludovica Villar-Hauser from PARITY PRODUCTIONS - Panel Co-Host and Speaker Get Tickets to the 2025 Rise Summit ($10-$20) Expand the Canon champions women and gender-expansive playwrights whose works should have always been considered classics. For over a decade, our partnerships with theaters, educators, and advocates have established a legacy of storytelling with gender equity at its core. By curating a collection of excellent historic plays, we're building a more inclusive and accurate theatrical canon. Learn More About Expand the Canon Access Broadway®, founded by Broadway veteran Ron DeVito in 1998, launched in 1999 as the first "All-Inclusive" Broadway Experience™, combining competition, workshops, and talent searches in dance, acting, and voice. Unlike traditional dance competitions, the program brought the full range of performing arts into one event. Drawing on his Broadway career (Cats, 42nd Street, Starlight Express), DeVito expanded the industry to include acting and vocal arts. For over 25 years, Access Broadway® has produced events nationwide, providing students, teachers, and aspiring performers with constructive competitions, performing arts education, and career opportunities. Many alumni have gone on to launch professional careers through this innovative platform. Learn More About Access Broadway RISE Theatre, a program of Maestra Music, seeks to build a more equitable and inclusive theatre industry by centralizing tools and resources through our network of partners and a national career platform that serves everyone in the industry, but intentionally designed for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds, including but not limited to people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, deaf, and disabled theatre professionals, to be seen, considered and hired. Only together we RISE. Learn More About RISE and Maestra

March Events & Opportunities

SWAN Day (3/25) and Women's History Month Links

Events & Opportunities ~ and Links for Women's History Month Come Celebrate SWAN Day with us (Support Women Artists Now!) FREE Short Films Screening, Panel, & Reception from The Women in the Arts & Media Coalition, NYWIFT, SAG-AFTRA, SVA, WomenArts, and FF2 Media Saturday March 25 2-5pm at SVA 333 West 23rd Street Join the Women in the Arts & Media Coalition, NYWIFT, SAG-AFTRA, School of Visual Arts, Women Arts, and FF2 Media at the SVA Theater on March 25th for SWAN Day, an international initiative designed to showcase the power and diversity of women’s creativity. The short films will be followed by a panel moderated by Terry Lawler, Past Executive Director of NYWIFT, with the Directors of the films: Annetta Marion and Estelle Parsons in person, and Dana Offenbach on the screen. RSVP MIDAS' SON directed by Annetta Marion written by Tina Lee and Ela Thier Inspired by the classic myth of King Midas, MIDAS' SON tells the story of Billy, a young man adrift in his life. As he prepares for his wedding, Billy returns to his childhood home to find out why his parents have not yet responded to the invitation to his wedding. The homecoming brings up old and unhealed resentments. During the trip home, Billy takes baby steps towards repairing broken relationships and, eventually, redemption. 6:18 TO OMAHA directed by Dana Offenbach written by Leah Curney It's 1959, at a whistle-stop diner somewhere near Omaha. Ed Merriweather, a traveling salesman with a big heart and an empty wallet, just wants a cup of joe. But after a surprising encounter with two women – a mercurial housewife and a studious teenage waitress – Ed leaves with a new perspective. A MAN OF HIS TIME directed by Estelle Parsons written by Kate Taney Billingsley Two descendants of the infamous 1857 Dred Scott Decision meet in a cafe off the New Jersey turnpike. Jim Taney, a descendant of Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney who penned the opinion, offers an apology from his family to the family of Walter Scott, a descendant of the formerly enslaved Dred Scott. Through a vulnerable conversation about racism in America, Jim awakens to his own ignorance and discovers why an apology alone just won’t cut it. ONLINE EVENTS AND LINKS TO EXPLORE AND LEARN FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Black History Month TV and Streaming Calendar 2023 from Rotten Tomatoes Black History Month from the Library of Congress Black History Month from the History Channel Seven Essential Podcasts Hosted by Black Women 28 Podcasts by Women of Color You Should be Listening To Schedule of Events from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History The 1619 Project from the Pulitzer Center Events from the Smithsonian Institution 52 Black Movies on Netflix from Oprah Magazine Black Women Poets You Should Know from The Lily 21 Black Female Poets from The Tempest 15 Black Female Artists Who Are Dominating the Music Industry 25 Songs by Black Women that Rocked the World from the 1920s- 2020 Andra Day music playlist Top 30 Black Female Painters Black Women and Pleasure Volunteer Opportunities Be a part of the Collaboration Awards this year! We're gearing up for the next Collaboration Awards and looking for some great people to serve on the Collaboration Awards Committee, helping to put out the call for submissions, curate submissions, and help to choose the winners. If you want to know more about the Collaboration Awards, read about it on our website. If you're interested, email us at volunteers@womenartsmediacoalition.org and put Collaboration Awards Committee in the subject line. The Actors Theatre Workshop (ATW), founded by Thurman E. Scott, is a NYC award-winning non-profit theater, education institution and community center that has been a vital resource for many in the community, including at-risk and homeless youth, for over 33 years. They have a rewarding community program with volunteer opportunities and events that you are invited to join. To attend an information session, apply here. For more information, email outreach@actorstheatreworkshop.org  New Play Reading with Mr. Scott - On Thursday, March 30th from 6:30-9:00pm, ATW invites you to learn and exchange with Artistic Director, Thurman E. Scott as he reads selections from a play he is developing on slavery and how we can accept and overcome this horror. First performed in celebration of Black History Month, Mr. Scott will read this play again. You will hear creative insights and inspiring words from a gifted theater artist and have an opportunity to reflect on these struggles and grow and heal in a safe space. Conversations in America: 2020 Vision - The Year We Saw Everything You can still see Conversations in America: 2020 Vision - The Year We Saw Everything, a compilation of short plays and films, monologues, songs, and more. Video on YouTube Available here More info and the journal available here. Special thanks to SAG-AFTRA and WomenArts who were gold sponsors of the event. Coalition Website ‌ ‌ ‌

Fabulous February Free Events Online

LPTW International Awards, Coming Together Through Creativity, and Black History Month Links

Fabulous February Free Events Online Conversations in America: Submissions to "2020 Vision" LPTW Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award Program Coming Together Through Creativity from The Actors Theatre Workshop Black History Month - Online Events and Links to Explore and Learn Conversations In America:  “2020 Vision”—The Year We Saw Everything (Submissions accepted February 14th - March 21st from Valentine’s Day to the Solstice) "It’s up to all of us – Black, white, everyone…” Michelle Obama “Women's empowerment is intertwined with respect for human rights.” Mahnaz Afkhami “A woman is like a tea bag - you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” Eleanor Roosevelt "I just want to recognize that women are never congratulated for their hunger. We are never rewarded for taking up space musically. So, I just wanted to take a second to thank everybody for what we teach each other and that is to hunger for more, to not accept less, to make sure our voices are heard because the point of view that we have is required." Jeanine Tesori, Composer  No one is able to hide anymore. No one.  We are still in a health, social, economic, political crisis which has impacted all of us. The stress of our lives multiplied over the last few years and exploded in 2020. Now time for change and renewal is at hand. How do we move forward? How can we as artists discuss what justice for all of us looks like? What do we want for our future? How can we increase compassion and understanding to give voice to those voices that fall on deaf ears? How do we find ways for those deaf ears to hear, see and feel outside their understanding? Art can be the language of constructive action towards being heard. We want to work toward an understanding and developing movement forward through our art. Some Topics to launch from: Pandemic: How it has changed/impacted/escalated our lives Discrimination: How has it changed? Not changed? What questions should we be asking?What are the answers?  BLM: social/racial justice, behavior, protesting, outsiders looting, How we are coming together? #MeToo: equal pay, equal treatment in the office, the world… constant harassment in life and work   Division in the Country: We have never been so divided. How do we find common ground? How do we actually make these United States exactly that - United? Can we? Can this new administration? Concentrate on one, or draw on more than one, it is all up to you and your imagination. Go for it! Written and performed pieces 3 to 5 minutes tops.  We will host a virtual evening to perform, display, discuss and enlighten the many sides of these issues that impact us all. Looking for: Scenes, Short plays, Short films, Monologues, Music, Poetry, Dance, Paintings, Sculptures and Photography - again nothing to exceed 3-5 minutes. The entire evening will run 75-90 minutes with no intermission and will be via Zoom link. We will have a cast of professional NY actors reading the chosen pieces, and all art for the evening - photography, paintings, sculptures, music - will be put on display. As in the past, this is open to all members of our organizations and affiliate organizations (see the list here). Send your submission to: conversations@womenartsmediacoalition.org Submission Info Online                    Theatre Unites the World! A week-long celebration of 27 extraordinary international Theatre Women from 18 countries at the forefront of artistic excellence and social change.   Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award Program Joan D. Firestone, Program Chair, Melody Brooks Executive Producer   Reserve your seat for the Award Ceremony, hosted by Film and Television star Tamara Tunie, honoring Award-winner Hanane Hajj Ali from Lebanon. Meet Finalists Iman Aoun (Palestine), Mallika Sarabhai (India), Maya Zbib (Lebanon) and Special Certificate Recipient Mihaela Drăgan (Romania) in a series of transformative conversations with U.S. counterparts. Schedule of Events All events are free and take place virtually at 1:00pm EST (U.S.) Register on Event Brite February 15, 2021 24-hour Countdown A journey around the world in 24 hours to meet GCITA Nominees & International Affiliates. February 16, 2021 Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award Ceremony Hosted by Television and Film Star Tamara Tunie February 17, 2021 How to Keep Creating While Everything Around You is Falling Apart Interview with 2020 G/C Award Winner Hanane Hajj Ali with video of her work February 18, 2021 Women On Stage and In The Streets: Three Leading Beiruti Theatre Artists Co-hosted by the Lebanese American University New York Academic Center February 19, 2021 Raising Social Awareness and Activating Change Through Theatre Theatre women share strategies for using their theatre practice to make a difference February 20, 2021 Theatre Education: Reaching Beyond the Stage Arts educators discuss how theatre can be a powerful educational & affirmational tool at all age levels February 22, 2021 The Dynamic Alliance of Theatre and Technology Theatre makers share experiences in using technology to enhance their theatrical vision Other Nominees Jaspreet Saund (Canada), Sarah Berger (England), Faynia Williams (England), Katy Lipson (England), Lucy Kerbel (England), Beate Seidel (Germany), Avra Sidiropoulou (Greece), Andrea Tompa (Hungary), Kalpana Gagdekar (India), Deirdre Kinahan (Ireland), Edna Mazya (Israel), Burbuqe Berisha (Kosovo), Illire Vinca (Kosovo), Zana Hoxha Krasniqi (Kosovo), Sherry Lara Alingod (Philippines), Jung-Soon Shim (Republic of Korea), Hope Azeda (Rwanda), Dijana Milosevic (Serbia), Grace Gachocha Nakaka (Tanzania), Jalila Baccar (Tunisia), Lupe Gehrenbeck (Venezuela), and Jill Greenhalgh (Wales). Visit the LPTW website for more information on events and nominees! www.theatrewomen.org Coming Together Through Creativity Wednesday, February 17 at 7pm EST - FREE from The Actors Theatre Workshop The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for everyone but it has also created opportunities to connect with people in our community in new ways. When we discovered in March that our creative educational programs were just as life-changing online, we developed a new class that would allow us to connect with each other while learning creative exercises to combat the stress of a more isolated life. Join us for our free class, Coming Together Through Creativity, led by our Artistic Director and Founder Thurman E. Scott,  on Wednesday, February 17th at 7PM ET, as we use our voices to build new bonds during these unprecedented times.  RSVP Online events and links to explore and learn: Schedule of Events from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History The 1619 Project from the New York Times Events from the Smithsonian Institution 52 Black Movies on Netflix from Oprah Magazine Black Women Poets You Should Know from The Lily 21 Black Female Poets from The Tempest 25 Songs by Black Women that Rocked the World from the 1920s- 2020  Andra Day music playlist from Billboard 10 Breakthrough Women Artists from Black Art in America Coalition Website ‌ ‌ ‌