Stage of Life Theatre Company (SoL) has been making adjustments as its season progresses. With the season premiere show “Assassins” opening June 12, SoL is now offering “pay what you can” options to patrons for all upcoming productions as costs elsewhere continue to rise. In conjunction with this change, SoL remains dedicated to fostering an environment where diversity, equality and inclusion are guaranteed for every young thespian who helps get new shows up and running.
In a community letter sent by SoL on May 28, Executive Director Jennifer Austin Hughes drew attention to financial strains not only affecting SoL but all businesses and organizations within our community.
“We are feeling the direct effects of decisions being made in rooms thousands of miles away from our valley,” the letter read. “Funding cuts, grants disappearing overnight, sponsors unable to recommit due to increases in costs to their businesses and donors who have supported us for years unable to do so as they tighten their personal belts. This isn’t another instance of you hearing about how the changes being made may theoretically affect someone you know or an organization you love — this is happening right now, in our town, to us.”
Hughes echoed this sentiment in a candid conversation with The Sopris Sun, saying, “The decisions that are being made when they talk about cutting funding for NPR or keeping foreign students out of Harvard, or cutting funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, it can seem like this huge, big thing that is happening miles away. It’s not. It’s happening to organizations that are in our valley, not just SoL.”
Additionally, the letter revealed how SoL was asked to remove any language from its website which made references to inclusivity, so they would not be disqualified for previously applied for grants. In true SoL fashion, however, Hughes assured the community that would not be happening. The word “inclusivity” only appears once on SoL’s website, and other mentions of inclusivity can be found in the organization’s non-discrimination policy, which is legally required for nonprofit organizations in the state of Colorado.
Discussing the impact of the call to action email, Hughes said she wasn’t concerned about the possibility of offending anyone. In fact, follow up correspondences thanked the community for an outpouring of support for SoL’s commitment to maintaining an environment where all students can thrive.
“I didn’t worry about offending anyone who maybe believes something different than I do,” Hughes elaborated. “I don’t think folks understand that there are so many of us that just fall right in the middle, and these conversations need to happen in the middle. I don’t want to walk around hedging my bets and wondering whether or not I should say how I feel about something.”
She continued, “I don’t want any of my kids to ever feel like they have to hide any part of themselves.”
Hughes said the request to remove language referencing inclusivity goes against the principles of theater itself. Historically, this art form has been a safe haven for the disenfranchised — for people who don’t fit the molds of society. A place where people can comfortably let their freak flags fly — regardless of their looks or backgrounds.
“I’m going to land firmly on what I consider to be the right side of history, and I am not taking that language off. The kid who needs to read that needs to be able to see that’s what we stand for. It has to be reflected in our actions, words and deeds right now. We either believe in these principles or we don’t. We can’t walk between the raindrops right now, we have got to walk out in the rain and just get wet,” Hughes stated.
SoL, like other nonprofits, relies in part on donations to keep its programming running. However, one of the biggest things Hughes said folks can do, not only for SoL but for all organizations in the Carbondale Creative District, is to show up wherever you can.
“Showing up for any organization — whether it’s [Thunder River Theatre Company], the Clay Center or showing up at Carbondale Arts — and sending the message that what they do matters to you can be really powerful in times like this,” Hughes concluded.
For more information, to receive updates or to donate, visit www.soltheatrecompany.org