The theatre community at large rallied behind a potential, then likely, victory for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as Election Day 2020 turned into Election Week. As news outlets officially made the call November 7, a number of arts organizations, unions, and advocacy coalitions weighed in, conveying both celebration and a rallying cry for continued support for arts relief in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
See below what these groups had to say as the election drew to a close.
“Joe Biden will be the most consequential president for the arts industry in a generation,” said Actors' Equity Association Executive Director Mary McColl. “At a time when live entertainment is still largely dark because of the coronavirus, we will finally have a partner in the White House who will create a national strategy to bring the pandemic under control and put everyone in the arts back to work. Until then, we need to reinstate pandemic unemployment so that displaced workers can pay their bills, increase arts funding and finally pass a COBRA subsidy to make health insurance affordable as unemployment stretches on.”
“We mobilized to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris at a desperate time for the theatre and everyone who works in the arts,” added Equity President Kate Shindle. “I am so moved by the dedication of our actors and stage managers. They volunteered so much time and energy to electing a president who cares about workers every single day, and will be laser focused on getting us safely back to work in the wake of this unprecedented pandemic and months-long shutdown.”
But between now and January – and beyond the inauguration – there's still work to do. We need Congress to reinstate pandemic unemployment so that displaced workers can pay their bills. https://t.co/1q6rniXwO7 pic.twitter.com/QVIxPC5pxJ
— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) November 7, 2020
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees asserted its #UnionStrong support for the President-elect, adding, "We should never elect another scab into office ever again."
Know what PA, GA, and NV have in common? Strong and powerful IATSE locals.
From working behind the scenes as poll workers, to center stage as organizers and release staff, our members made the difference.https://t.co/YmzafYU6tu
— IATSE (@IATSE) November 7, 2020
The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society similarly shared a hopeful outlook for fellow unions under a new presidency. "SDC Members were unwavering in their commitment to the Biden-Harris ticket, and we are now poised to give that same support to the President-elect and Vice President-elect during the transition and beyond," said executive director Laura Penn. "Theatre artists, along with our colleagues in film, TV, and the broader cultural community, can play a critical role in uniting citizens. The Biden-Harris administration will address the pandemic and the resulting economic devastation, and ensure a comprehensive health care policy, a strong education system, and a more racially and socially just country. SDC will work in unity, purpose, and action to support the new administration."
Tony winner, Actors Fund Chair, and Black Theatre United Co-Founder Brian Stokes Mitchell shared the view from his apartment (where he's frequently sung the anthemic "The Impossible Dream" to honor essential workers) as crowds cheered for a USPS truck—an unexpected but critical symbol of voter mobilization this year.
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Arts Organizations Celebrate Biden-Harris Victory, Call for Continued Fight for Relief - Playbill.com
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