Kate Mulgrew of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK and Stella Adler Studio Participate in Ghostlight Project for Inclusion

On January 19, Tom Oppenheim, Artistic Director of The Stella Adler Studio of Acting, along with students of the Studio and actress Kate Mulgrew, participated in the first event of The Ghostlight Project, an initiative launched by members of the theater community to create a "light" in dark times. The Studio was one of over 500 organizations that participated in the event, standing alongside stars like Kate Mulgrew, Sally Field and Hamilton's Phillipa Soo on the red steps in Times Square to "light a light" with phones, flashlights and lighters in a pledge to support and protect the values of inclusion, participation and compassion for all, regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, age, gender identity or sexual orientation. The Ghostlight Project was inspired by the tradition of leaving a "ghost light" on in a darkened theater, and will continue to take action to protect the values of inclusion and compassion.

"I've always been moved by the moment in the film The Dresser when the lead character sees a woman in deep grief because her home was destroyed by a bomb. He gives her tickets and says, 'I trust you'll find some comfort in the theater,'" said Tom Oppenheim, Artistic Director, Stella Adler Studio of Acting. "It's expressive of what I think makes the theater a powerful institution-that is, love. Not love as a sentiment or feeling. Love as a verb, love as a calling. The theater should operate as a platform for protest, thought, exploration, but also as a sanctuary. The studio's mission compels us to stand up for everyone in our community, to stand up for everyone in our America and to create an environment that nurtures theater artists who value humanity above all else."

"The theater has always been a place of inclusion and acceptance, and we pledge to preserve it as a safe haven for everyone," said Kate Mulgrew, Orange Is The New Black actress and Stella Adler Studio board member.

The Stella Adler Studio of Acting was founded in 1949 on the principle that growth as an actor and growth as a human being are synonymous. The mission of the Studio is to create an environment that nurtures theater artists and audiences so that they value humanity, their own and others, as their first priority while providing art and education to the greater community. The Stella Adler Studio of Acting's Outreach Division works with numerous underserved populations including inner-city students, drug and rehabilitation centers and inmates on Rikers Island.

About The Stella Adler Studio of Acting

Established in 1949 by Stella Adler, the Stella Adler Studio of Acting was founded upon Adler's belief in the supreme seriousness of her art, and has, for the last five decades, enriched every part of the American theater and film arts. Adler's philosophies kept many well-known members of the theater coming back for her intelligent and passionate advice and the school has since trained many of the brilliant actors of our time, including Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro, Elaine Stritch, Benicio Del Toro and Salma Hayek. The Stella Adler Studio of Acting is a not-for-profit organization, which trains over 500 actors annually and also presents world-class lectures, poetry readings, jazz, classical music, theater, and dance theater events. www.stelladler.com