Racial Justice Series: Making Space on the Great White Way 2023

American Musical Theater owes a debt to actors, composers, and playwrights of the Black diaspora who have influenced its style and aesthetic at every stage of its evolution. Yet, Black performers were not given serious opportunities on America’s premier stage until 1917, though many of them were well-known across the country. At this Racial Justice event, through dialogue and performance, we paid tribute to Black trailblazers who have opened doors for multiple generations of Black talent. Our special guests included Natasha Yvette Williams (Some Like It Hot), Q. Smith (Come From Away), Will Mann (National Touring Cast of Hadestown), and Eric Lockley (The Inheritance). Photo Credit: Jisselle Tavarez Fernandez