To: Theatre For Change, CEO
DARK INTO LIGHT AT THE PLAYHOUSE SAN ANTONIO
Keep San Antonio theatres safe, financed, and free from censorship so that issues that are hurting our community may be openly explored and discussed.
Why is this important?
On Saturday, May 18th, a group of artists put on a musical called “Spring Awakening” at The Playhouse in San Antonio, Texas. “Spring Awakening” is a musical that deals with puberty, sexuality, rape, child abuse, incest, homosexuality, and suicide. It is a vital work at this moment in time, because the fact is that regardless of where we stand politically, spiritually, or morally - these issues are harming and killing our kids at an alarming rate. (SEE BULLET POINTS OF STATISTICS BELOW.)
After the show, a talk-back session was held with Child Advocates of San Antonio (CASA), The Rape Crisis Center, 2 Anthropologists from UTSA, and the cast. A dialogue began and a spotlight was bravely shone on these issues.
THE DARKNESS:
Prior to the show, throughout the show, and after the show - a gentleman scurried around the theatre feverishly copying the adult content warning signs that were posted throughout the building. This gentleman has a prior history of, and has been instrumental in, defunding other arts organization because of content, and was acting as though he had every intention of filing a grievance with the city of San Antonio. During the talk back, this same gentleman got up and asked if “…the gay community’s suicide rate is due to the emptiness of their promiscuous lifestyle.” The audience was filled with students from the LGBTQ community who let out a collective sigh of sadness.
YOUR LIGHT
This petition is being set up by Theatre for Change (http://www.theatreforchange.org) as a preemptive strike and a forum of solidarity where we may print your stories and give them to our city representatives. Make no mistake, it will come to this and we will need as much support as possible. If you have seen the show and it has touched you – please share your story below! If you are an ally from afar and have been struck by the issues listed above – please share your story below. If you live in Texas and/or the surrounding areas, please consider seeing the show and then share your story below.
Please stand with us, because as a united front – love will triumph. . .EVERY TIME!!!
“When I have children, I’ll let them be free. And they’ll grow strong and tall.” Copy and paste this link into your browser to see the promo video of the show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHqBNs44aRs
• “Every year 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving nearly 6 million children (a report can include multiple children). The United States has the worst record in the industrialized nation – losing five children every day due to abuse-related deaths. “ -ChildHelp
• “Suicide is the leading cause of death among Gay and Lesbian youth nationally. It has been conservatively estimated the 1,500 Gay and Lesbian youth commit suicide every year.” – SPEAK
• “Suicide rates amongst youth ages 15-24 have increased more than 300% since the 1950's.” – SPEAK
• “683,000 forcible rapes occur every year; which equals 56,916 per month; 1,871 per day; 78 per hour; and 1.3 per minute.” - Crime Victims Services
• Texas is the second most populated foster-to-adopt system, narrowly following California. With an estimated 30,000 children from ages 0-17 running through our system each year
• According to the Child Protective Services (CPS) 2012 Data Book, there were 275,961 alleged victims of child abuse in Texas last year.
• CPS confirmed 6,205 of these cases in Bexar County, the largest number for any single county in the entire State.
• Of the 212 child deaths from abuse and neglect last year in the State of Texas, 19 occurred in Bexar County.
After the show, a talk-back session was held with Child Advocates of San Antonio (CASA), The Rape Crisis Center, 2 Anthropologists from UTSA, and the cast. A dialogue began and a spotlight was bravely shone on these issues.
THE DARKNESS:
Prior to the show, throughout the show, and after the show - a gentleman scurried around the theatre feverishly copying the adult content warning signs that were posted throughout the building. This gentleman has a prior history of, and has been instrumental in, defunding other arts organization because of content, and was acting as though he had every intention of filing a grievance with the city of San Antonio. During the talk back, this same gentleman got up and asked if “…the gay community’s suicide rate is due to the emptiness of their promiscuous lifestyle.” The audience was filled with students from the LGBTQ community who let out a collective sigh of sadness.
YOUR LIGHT
This petition is being set up by Theatre for Change (http://www.theatreforchange.org) as a preemptive strike and a forum of solidarity where we may print your stories and give them to our city representatives. Make no mistake, it will come to this and we will need as much support as possible. If you have seen the show and it has touched you – please share your story below! If you are an ally from afar and have been struck by the issues listed above – please share your story below. If you live in Texas and/or the surrounding areas, please consider seeing the show and then share your story below.
Please stand with us, because as a united front – love will triumph. . .EVERY TIME!!!
“When I have children, I’ll let them be free. And they’ll grow strong and tall.” Copy and paste this link into your browser to see the promo video of the show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHqBNs44aRs
• “Every year 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving nearly 6 million children (a report can include multiple children). The United States has the worst record in the industrialized nation – losing five children every day due to abuse-related deaths. “ -ChildHelp
• “Suicide is the leading cause of death among Gay and Lesbian youth nationally. It has been conservatively estimated the 1,500 Gay and Lesbian youth commit suicide every year.” – SPEAK
• “Suicide rates amongst youth ages 15-24 have increased more than 300% since the 1950's.” – SPEAK
• “683,000 forcible rapes occur every year; which equals 56,916 per month; 1,871 per day; 78 per hour; and 1.3 per minute.” - Crime Victims Services
• Texas is the second most populated foster-to-adopt system, narrowly following California. With an estimated 30,000 children from ages 0-17 running through our system each year
• According to the Child Protective Services (CPS) 2012 Data Book, there were 275,961 alleged victims of child abuse in Texas last year.
• CPS confirmed 6,205 of these cases in Bexar County, the largest number for any single county in the entire State.
• Of the 212 child deaths from abuse and neglect last year in the State of Texas, 19 occurred in Bexar County.