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Jacob G. Padrón's Remarks for TCG Gala 2019

By Jacob Padron posted 02-11-2019 15:39

  
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Photo Credit: Isaiah Tanenbaum of Jacob G. Padrón at 2019 TCG Gala.

In one of his last interviews, the great producer, director, and former TCG board president Mr. Lloyd Richards said: I had to fight to be here.

Lloyd was many things.
He was a titan.
He was a conjurer of dreams and future possibilities.
He was trailblazer, crossing lines before many of those same lines were even visible to other people of color.

Tonight, is a wonderful celebration of where we’ve been and more importantly where we’re going. At the same time, that fight that Lloyd articulated so many years ago is still here, as people of color continue to break down walls and make our way in our ever-evolving, and everchallenging community. Progress has been slow. The journey has been painful and it’s far from over. But as I stand here tonight, dear friends, I am filled with hope.

Stephanie Ybarra gives me hope; Hana Sharif gives me hope; so, does Marcela Lorca, Maria Goyanes, and Eric Ting. These artistic directors join a growing circle of leaders who can joyfully say to that young artist of color who may be watching from the seats high above in the balcony of our theaters: we see you and you belong here too.

We are anchored by our pillars, those legacy leaders of color who joined Lloyd in the fight. We are walking in the path of those who came before us – Muriel Miguel, Ellen Stewart, Tisa Chang, Miriam Colón and Jackie Taylor – just to name a few. They fortified the soil and gave us the courage to charge ahead and dream a new American theater that we could all get behind.

TCG has been steadfast in leading that charge for many years. TCG consistently broadens the circle so that many young leaders and artists of color find a place for growth, for opportunity, and for mentorship. The organization has been and continues to be a launching pad: TCG was the place I found refuge when I began my professional life in the theater. In 2008, I was fresh out of graduate school working as an associate producer at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and that first year was such a dizzying mix of highs and lows. But one day has always stood out during my time in Ashland, when the universe blessed me with a lifeline. It was the day I met the great Emilya Cachapero, Director of Artistic and International Programs with TCG. Her wisdom and support were a balm for my young wounds. Like she has done for so many over the years, she opened the doors of TCG for me. And those doors have stayed wide open thanks to the entire staff at TCG. Through their ongoing commitment of building an ecology where all can thrive is something I see and celebrate.

I was fortunate to be a part of the TCG Young Leaders of Color program in 2011, as well as TCG’s SPARK Leadership Program in 2014. These programs gave me a community where I could find my way and be in the company of inspiring warriors committed to inclusion and justice. Many of my SPARK cohort members are here tonight – they are all thriving – and we have nurtured each other through the highs and lows.

Collectively, and with the support of TCG, we are architects of a future American theater that shows the world we can widen the circle of inclusion; that we can have people of color in leadership positions; that our stages can reflect the communities we hope to serve; and that we can and must work together to reclaim our shared humanity and to support TCG’s vision to create a “a better world for theatre, a better world because of theatre.”

As I prepare for my arrival at Long Wharf Theatre as its new Artistic Director, all of this is stirring in my mind and heart. I am holding all of these lessons thanks to TCG and know they’ll propel me forward.

We must join arms and rise together.

So, for those leaders of color in the room who have been supported by TCG, please rise with me. We must claim our space so that we can joyfully see each other, in community, and show the world that the future has arrived.

We’re on our way.

Thank you and TCG so much!
#EDI
#TCGGala
#2019
#TheatresOfColor
#Leadership
#LongWharf

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