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FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR

Dear friends of Stages,

Well, here we are. It’s been over six months since
we opened Stages’ new home, The Gordy, that we
had the opportunity to celebrate for just seven short
weeks before the shutdown. This moment in time is
dramatically different than we expected it to be. And
the reality of not being able to fully experience this
transformational new venue has, yes, been traumatic.
That said, I am continuously inspired by Stages’
community of artists and audiences, and the shared
commitment to making plays and telling stories, even
when the way we traditionally do this work is not
possible.
From the reading of Vincent Terrell Durham’s Polar Bears, Black Boys and Prairie Fringed Orchids as
part of the national Juneteenth Theatre Justice Project, to the launch of Pieces of the Moon as a radio
play, to the recent streaming of a Zoom-captured Sensitive Guys, Stages artists and staff have been at
work finding new ways to make connection in this moment of social distancing. Today, we’re excited
to host you for a program called Stages Studio Sessions that features diverse Houston-based artists in
performance with an original show weekly from August 21st through October 11th.
Yes, it’s true, we cannot wait to be with you again at The Gordy once it’s safe and responsible for us to
do so. But, today, that’s not possible. We are leaning in and focusing on storytelling in new mediums
that allow us to continue forward in relationship until the moment we can again sit together in the dark
to learn how to love each other in the light.
We have made the decision to present this dynamic programming to our community at no cost to
hopefully inspire at a time when that is so important in our lives. If you are able, we invite you to
support Stages with a philanthropic contribution. This is the only investment we have at the moment
to fuel our work forward. Donations can be made online at www.stageshouston.com.

We’re grateful to be in community with you.

Sincerely,

Mark D.A Folkes
Managing Director