The events of the past week have shocked, angered, and saddened us all. We acknowledge and oppose the violence and racism inflicted on black Americans.

As artists, our voices matter in the world. The voices of black musicians, actors, dancers, and filmmakers have influenced our voices and the work we do. Artists from Louis Armstrong to Spike Lee to Anna Deavere Smith have shaped our curriculum, our culture, and our lives for the better. The Virginia Tech School of Performing Arts strives to incorporate these diverse influences through our curriculum, our creative work, and our community engagement. We are constantly reevaluating how to be more inclusive. We recognize that we have more work to do, and we are committed to continually seeking a better path forward.

We will use our voices to speak out against injustice and brutality. We will advocate and create space for marginalized voices to be heard. And we will listen closely to those whose voices have been historically silenced.

We encourage all students, faculty, and staff to continue the work of educating ourselves and each other, taking action for justice, and making use of university counseling, mental health, and wellness resources as needed.

In solidarity,

Brian Britt
Interim Director
Virginia Tech School of Performing Arts

Jason Crafton
Chair of Music
Virginia Tech School of Performing Arts

Natasha Staley
Chair of Theatre and Cinema
Virginia Tech School of Performing Arts

Ariana Wyatt
Chair, School of Performing Arts Diversity Committee
Virginia Tech School of Performing Arts