Philadelphia Theatre Company director meets with writers of ‘no more all-white seasons’ letter

Philadelphia Theatre Company producing artistic director Paige Price met separately Monday with both of the authors of last week’s open letter demanding “no more all-white seasons” at PTC.

The letter’s writers, theatrical writer-producers Elaina Di Monaco and Haygen-Brice Walker, had posted the letter on Facebook on April 9 to criticize PTC’s recently announced 2019-20 season of three plays, all by white authors.

The letter called for greater diversity on PTC’s staff and more transparency in the theater’s selection process. Nineteen people from the local theater community signed it.

Both Price and Di Monaco confirmed separately that this Monday’s meetings had happened, but neither would describe what was discussed. The theater and its critics plan to post a joint statement later this week.

Di Monaco and Price both said another meeting will take place in the next two to three weeks between the PTC staff and a few of the 19 people who signed the letter. No firm date is set.

“I don’t believe the meeting will be especially large ... maybe 10 to 12 people,” Di Monaco said. It will not be open to the public.