THE VOICES PROJECT

Support the Creation, Amplification, and Conversation of THE VOICES PROJECT by sponsoring an actor today!

Each donation of $100 will be allocated directly to an actor as an exhibition honorarium for their work. Because of our current quarantine moment, this project will be largely self-driven by the artists. We are committed to doing what we can to support that work financially.* #ArtistsShouldBePaid

WHAT IS THE VOICES PROJECT?

A video project that builds on our company values and this cultural moment, centering the perspectives of underrepresented artists in the evolution of Shakespeare’s legacy. 

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With the goals of speaking to our current moment, manifesting the values laid out in our Inclusion Pledge, and creatively deploying our core value of “exchange,” NYSX invites performers to contribute their voices to a new video project. With this open-ended project we will create an amplifying platform for individuals who may feel excluded from, or marginalized by, the words of Shakespeare. We will showcase each actor's connection to Shakespeare’s text as well as orient that text in the broader picture of their identities as artists and citizens. We also hope that, by making this project open to continued expansion, we will underline the truth that we know is all too hidden from the classical stages of our country – the talent pool of performers is wide, deep, intersectional, and essential to the legacy of Shakespeare and the future of American theatre.

To further amplify the Black Lives Matter movement, we will launch this project with a wave of videos that will engage the voices of Black and African American artists. The continued expansion of the project will highlight the voices of BIPOC artists, trans and gender-nonconforming artists, and artists with disabilities.

ARTIST ENGAGEMENT

Each Voices Project video will include:

1. A piece of Shakespearean text which the actor feels strongly about.
   In an effort to present as wide a representation of Shakespeare’s canon as possible we will try to avoid repetition of texts. 

2. A performance of a piece of non-Shakespearean text that is equally meaningful and creates a counterpoint to the Shakespeare.
   This piece might be anything that “talks back” to their Shakespearean selection; it might agree, rebut, translate, complicate, parody, deconstruct, but no matter what, it should TALK BACK. It could be another dramatic text, song lyrics, political speech, poetry, scholarly text, religious text – the possibilities are wide-ranging. An original piece of writing by the performer is also an option.

3. An optional "Amplification Message"  
   This could take the form of a short direct-address statement to the audience which provides insight into the personal resonances of both pieces and their reason for pairing them. 

THE FINALIZED VIDEO PROJECTS WILL BE RELEASED ONLINE AND THROUGH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS.

*for more donation options, including different levels of giving and to support our general operating costs, visit our traditional donation form.