PAAL to Host First Forum, MOTHERHOOD IN THEATRE: BREAKING THE SILENCE

The newly formed national network Parent Artist Advocacy League (PAAL) for the Performing Arts is hosting their first annual forum on parenting and working in US theatres.

The first year's forum theme is MOTHERHOOD IN THEATRE: BREAKING THE SILENCE and will take place in three cities in June before spreading out across the country. The first three cities are Philadelphia, PA; Montclair, NJ; and Manhattan, NY.

The theme, materials, presentation, and panel are built upon the 2016 Women's Leadership in Resident Theatres report by Wellesley Centers for Women that stated the most common obstacle for women in theatre balancing the family-work realities is the "silence" surrounding the topic of motherhood. The forum will publicly identify obstacles, needs, lack of provision, and potential solutions for both employers, employees, and freelance artists.

The forum will launch the PAAL site that will function as a national network and hub of resources for employers, employees, and freelance artists to access materials that provide solutions and healthy practices for parents in employment. Resources covering appropriate language, non-discriminatory protocols, rights of employment, and recommended initiatives will be created by PAAL representatives in line with Equity and under the advisory of researchers and leading theatre administrations.

The 2017 city tour dates for the forum so far are June 10 in Philadelphia, June 11 in Montclair (New Jersey), and June 12 in New York City. The forums are free for attendance and will include childcare provision with vetted sitters requiring only an RSVP for headcount and requesting a pay-what-you-can/suggested donation. Childcare in New York will be provided by Broadway Babysitters at their new location on 52nd street.

PAAL's partner organizations include the Philadelphia Women's Theatre Festival in Philadelphia and Parents in Chicago Theatre in Chicago for future forums and projects. Projects such as the Motherhood Reading Series have begun in Chicago, and will feature different Chicago companies this fall, including members of Trap Door Theatre.

PAAL reps hail from Ashland, OR; Chicago, IL; Columbia, MO; Montclair, NJ; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; and Washington DC. Recruitment is currently underway for expansion in more cities. A full list of representatives can be found on the PAAL site (PAALtheatre.com).

The network was founded by AuditioningMom.com. To RSVP for the forums and reserve childcare, visit the events list on Facebook. For more information, visit PAAL on facebook (/PAALperformingarts), online PAALtheatre.com, or via email PAAL.contact@gmail.com.

Pictured: Mothers gather for the first Motherhood in Theatre forum of 2017 in Chicago at Vagabond School of the Arts