Seeking Agency: Part 2 with Anu Bhatt

HOME

Photo credit: Brave Lux Photography

Statera Community Conversations is a deep-dive series centered around community, purpose, advocacy, and action. Today we are kicking off a sub-series with Statera Member Anu Bhatt surrounding mental health issues that often arise for women in the arts.

Earlier this week we asked you two more questions on Facebook in preparation for this episode. The first was, “How have you incorporated self-care into your life?", and the second being, "What is your solution to burnout?” Your responses were wonderful for getting this conversation started.

In this episode of the vlog, Anu shares her own story as someone experiencing burnout after her one-woman show, Hollow/Wave. She also discusses scarcity mindset, particularly for minority artists, and the important topic of self-care. Check it out!

If you missed Anu’s first episode you can watch it here. We want you to be part of the conversation! Keep an eye out for more discussion questions via social media as we prepare for the next segment in this series, “Seeking Agency: Part 3”. You can also follow these hashtags on social media:

#STATERAWORKWEEK
#BALANCETHEATREWORKWEEK

Make sure you check out some of our previous Statera Community Conversations:

• “Seeking Agency: Part 1” a conversation with Anu Bhatt

• “Questioning Authority: the glorification of politeness as a means of controlling women” a conversation with Jackie Vanderbeck

• “Representation and Mentorship in the Arts: You Are Not Alone” a conversation with Torie Wiggins

• “Transforming Negative Messaging Through Collaboration” a conversation with Kelcey Anyá

• “Digging Deeper: Artistic Directors Hiring Women Behind the Scenes” a conversation with Valerie Rachelle

Seeking Agency: Part 1 with Anu Bhatt

HOME

Photo credit: Clay Larsen Photography

Statera Community Conversations is a deep-dive series centered around community, purpose, advocacy, and action. Today we are kicking off a sub-series with Statera Member Anu Bhatt surrounding mental health issues that often arise for women in the arts.

Last week we turned to you on Facebook to get feedback on two questions. The first was, “Does the term #NoDaysOff give you a sense of pride or a lack of agency?”, and the second being, “How do you establish personal agency as a performing artist?”

In this first episode of the vlog, Anu shares some of your responses, as well as stories shared by the community since Statera’s Call To Action regarding the Theatre Work Week. Check it out!

We want you to be part of the conversation. Keep an eye out for more discussion questions via social media as we prepare for the next segment in this series, “Seeking Agency: Part 2”. You can also follow these hashtags on social media:

#StateraWorkWeek
#BalanceTheatreWorkWeek

Make sure you check out some of our previous Statera Community Conversations?

• “Questioning Authority: the glorification of politeness as a means of controlling women” a conversation with Jackie Vanderbeck

• “Representation and Mentorship in the Arts: You Are Not Alone” a conversation with Torie Wiggins

• “Transforming Negative Messaging Through Collaboration” a conversation with Kelcey Anyá

• “Digging Deeper: Artistic Directors Hiring Women Behind the Scenes” a conversation with Valerie Rachelle
  

---

Digging Deeper: Artistic Directors Hiring Women Behind the Scenes

As part of Statera's midyear giving campaign, we're publishing a series of deep-dive conversations centered around community, purpose, advocacy, and action. We are asking members of our community to share their “why” with us. In this video, director, choreographer, and artistic director of the Oregon Cabaret Theatre, Valerie Rachelle, reveals her early trials as a freelancer and shares her thoughts on gender equity in hiring practices.

In addition to her work as a director and arts leader, Valerie is part of the founding team for the Southern Oregon Chapter of Statera Mentrorship, launching in the winter of 2020.

More about the Oregon Cabaret Theatre >>>

Did you catch our previous Statera Community Conversations?

• “Questioning Authority: the glorification of politeness as a means of controlling women” a conversation with Jackie Vanderbeck

• “Representation and Mentorship in the Arts: You Are Not Alone” a conversation with Torie Wiggins

• “Transforming Negative Messaging Through Collaboration” a conversation with Kelcey Anyá

Statera Members will also have early access to two additional Statera Community Conversations in the coming weeks:

• "Fat Discrimination in the Arts: Societal Obsession with Smallness" a conversation with Maggie Rogers

• "We're Ready for New Narratives: Black Women in Media" a conversation with Chris Sanders

Questioning Authority: the glorification of politeness as a means of controlling women

As part of Statera's midyear giving campaign, we're publishing a series of deep-dive conversations centered around community, purpose, advocacy, and action. We are asking members of our community to share their “why” with us. In this video, actor and writer Jackie Vanderbeck shares her thoughts on overcoming early negative messaging, the process of claiming personal agency in spaces where there is a power imbalance, and empowering others to do the same.

In addition to her work as an actor and writer, Jackie is also the founding Artistic Director of Sing For Your Seniors. Jackie has been a member of the Statera Community since October 2016 when she attended Statera’s National Conference in Denver, CO. Jackie is a Statera Ambassador as well as a Statera Member.

Read more about Jackie >>>

Did you catch our previous Statera Community Conversations?

• “Representation and Mentorship in the Arts: You Are Not Alone” a conversation with Torie Wiggins

• “Transforming Negative Messaging Through Collaboration” a conversation with Kelcey Anyá

The conversation continues in the coming weeks. Next up?

• "Digging Deeper: Artistic Directors Hiring Women Behind the Scenes" a conversation with Valerie Rachelle

Statera Members will also have early access to two additional Statera Community Conversations:

• "Fat Discrimination in the Arts: Societal Obsession with Smallness" a conversation with Maggie Rogers

• "We're Ready for New Narratives: Black Women in Media" a conversation with Chris Sanders

Transforming Negative Messaging Through Collaboration

Photo by Mikki Schaffner

As part of Statera's midyear giving campaign, we're publishing a series of deep-dive conversations centered around community, purpose, advocacy, and action. We are asking members of our community to share their “why” with us. In this video, actor and choreographer Kelcey Anyá shares her thoughts about how she overcame negative messaging early in her career through collaboration and a willingness to try new things.

Kelcey has been a member of the Statera Community since October 2018 when she attended Statera’s National Conference in Milwaukee. In addition to her work as a performer and choreographer, Kelcey is also a mentee in the Statera Mentorship NYC Chapter.

Did you catch last week’s conversation?

• “Representation and Mentorship in the Arts: You Are Not Alone” a conversation with Torie Wiggins

The conversation continues in the coming weeks. Next up?

• "Questioning Authority: the Glorification of Politeness as a Means of Controlling Women" a conversation with Jackie Vanderbeck

• "Digging Deeper: Artistic Directors Hiring Women Behind the Scenes" a conversation with Valerie Rachelle

Statera Members will also have access to two additional Statera Community Conversations:

• "Fat Discrimination in the Arts: Societal Obsession with Smallness" a conversation with Maggie Rogers

• "We're Ready for New Narratives: Black Women in Media" a conversation with Chris Sanders

Representation and Mentorship in the Arts: You Are Not Alone

As part of Statera's midyear giving campaign, we're publishing a series of deep-dive conversations centered around community, purpose, advocacy, and action. We are asking members of our community to share their “why” with us. In this video, actor and educator Torie Wiggins shares her thoughts about isolation, mentorship, the need for connection, academia, professional theatre, and her feelings on the word "diversity".

Torie has been a member of the Statera Community since October 2018 when she presented a breakout session at Statera’s National Conference in Milwaukee called "The Magic Stands Alone: The Importance of Solo Performance for Women in Theatre". In addition to her work as an actor and professor, Torie is also a mentor to many early career artists and an advocate for women in the arts. You can read her full bio HERE.

The conversation continues in the coming weeks. Next up?

• "Questioning Authority: the Glorification of Politeness as a Means of Controlling Women" a conversation with Jackie Vanderbeck

• "Digging Deeper: Artistic Directors Hiring Women Behind the Scenes" a conversation with Valerie Rachelle

• "Transforming Negative Messaging Through Collaboration" a conversation with Kelcey Anyá

Statera Members will also have access to two additional Statera Community Conversations:

• "Fat Discrimination in the Arts: Societal Obsession with Smallness" a conversation with Maggie Rogers

• "We're Ready for New Narratives: Black Women in Media" a conversation with Chris Sanders

Why Do You Statera?

Dear Statera Community,

I Statera. The verb. I am Statera. I am balance, yes. But I also create balance. I build pathways. I am a pathway. I disrupt oppressive systems. I innovate solutions. Yes, I take up space and hold the door open for those behind me, but I also kick the door down for women around me to do the same. For me. For you. For longevity and relevance of the arts, which I love. For my three daughters.

#WhyDoYouStatera?

We are asking the growing Statera community to share about what it means to be a woman today. What messages do you receive about being a woman. About women around you? How do you disrupt oppressive systems?

Common themes arise. Whether told directly or implied, the message has been that women must play small, be quiet, and compete for space and opportunity. The result? A common feeling of being alone in the journey.

We believe that isolation is a lie. Statera consciously chooses community and collaboration over competition. We actively create pathways for women artists to advancement and full participation in the arts.

Today we launch our second $25,000 matching gift campaign thanks to the trust and generosity of Martha Richards and WomenArts. Every dollar is doubled. Every dollar counts.

Three ways to give.
100% of all donations directly serve Statera programs:

1. Visit StateraArts on Facebook

2. Visit our website at www.stateraarts.org/donate

3. Send a check to:
   StateraArts
   755 S. Main St., Ste. 4 #281
   Cedar City, UT 84720

Isolation is a lie. We invite you to help us prove it.

Yours in Statera, (balance)

Melinda (she/her)
Executive Director

Supporting and donating to StateraArts is deeply personal. We all have our reasons for being a part of the Statera community. This summer, we’re asking that you share your “why” with us. Why are you an agent of change in the gender parity movement? Tell us why you support StateraArts. What about the Statera community feeds your soul? Why does gender equity in the arts matter to you? Why Do You Statera?

Share your story on social media using #WhyDoYouStatera.

Share a photo on social media of you and your work
in the arts with a story using #WhyDoYouStatera.