Broadway Stage Manager Details Racist Experiences Backstage
Cody Renard Richard
Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder
On Monday, production stage manager Cody Renard Richard posted some of the racist experiences he’s endured while working backstage on Broadway productions. He’s worked on productions such as Hamilton and Kinky Boots.
He states, “My entire career I’ve had to prove that I was exceptional just to thrive and get the same job as some of my less than exceptional peers. I’ve had to tone myself and sometimes my blackness down for you to accept me”
Mr. Richard then goes onto to describe what he’s encountered. They’re shocking and appalling.
Among them were comments such as:
“I was standing backstage at Motown the Musical on Broadway wearing my hoodie and a stagehand came up to me and said, ‘Hey Trayvon.’”
“I’ve listened to countless white peers say, ‘They won’t hire me, Black is in right now—you’re lucky.’”
“I started a new gig on Broadway, and one actress decided not to learn my name at first. Instead, she decided it was OK to call me ‘Brown *insert name of the employee I replaced’ for a month, because she thought it was a funny joke.”
I’ve had my supervisor tell me to deal with a certain situation because I could relate to the issue. ‘You’re Black.’
You can read his entire post here:
To say that his treatment is awful is an understatement. Sadly it’s not the first time we’ve heard this type of harassment towards black performers and crew on Broadway.
Last year, I reported on the alleged abuse of performer James Pierce III at Broadway’s Anastasia. Mr. Pierce, the only black person in the company, detailed how he was bullied by castmembers and production officials.
We’re living in a time where there is heightened awareness of racist behavior and much-needed discussions are beginning to happen. But that doesn’t excuse past behavior that was terrible, to begin with. What’s happened over the past couple of weeks doesn’t suddenly make these past experiences wrong. Even worse, organizations that have been tasked to protect performers of color and others from professional harassment and bullying have often questioned the accuser rather than investigate claims. I’m spoken to many union members who told me their complaints were never follow up on.
In recent days, organizations such as Actor’s Equity and theatre production groups have pledged to do better and listen to black voice within their ranks. Whether they will follow through remains to be seen.
Mr. Richard finished his statement with a call to action:
“It’s time to get and BE uncomfortable. Protesting comes in many different forms—you don’t have to be on the streets to do it. But you do have to be honest with yourself and your core values. Talk to your friends. Talk to your family members. Talk to your coworkers. Don’t tell me you don’t know ‘those types of people.’ YOU DO. You absolutely do, you may very well be one of them. Use your voice. Now. Don’t be silent. Speak up. Be anti-racist. Be human. Love us.”