How Black Out performances promote inclusion in Boston theater

Boston's theater-goers are overwhelmingly white: 89%, according to a report by the nonprofit ArtsBoston. At the same time, more than half of the city's residents are people of color.

Some theater companies are fostering inclusion with Black Out nights. Performances are taken off sale to the general public and made accessible with a code distributed to Black organizations and social media groups.

Maurice Emmanuel Parent is an actor, educator and co-founder and co-producing artistic director of Front Porch Arts Collective, a Black theatre company promoting racial equity in Boston. He speaks with us about the history and intention of Black Out experiences.