Local Theater Group Unveils New Name, New Mission
Blue Light Players is Now Evolve Theatrics
Blue Light Players is Now Evolve Theatrics
Lansing, Michigan, September 15, 2020—The Blue Light Players, a nonprofit theater company based in Delta Township, has announced that it is rebranding itself as Evolve Theatrics, to reflect a change in its mission and values.
Since 2005, the Blue Light Players has donated the proceeds of its productions to aid the families of fallen and critically injured police officers. In that time, the organization has given more than $36,000 to its cause.
“Like the rest of the country, we have been deeply shaken by the violence we have witnessed because of institutional racism within the criminal justice system and within our communities. We realized that we could no longer continue to support that system,” stated Helen Hart, founder of the theater group. “As Maya Angelou said, ‘when we know better, we have to do better.’ We know that we have to do better with how our money supports our community.”
Evolve Theatrics will continue to operate as a 501(C) (3) nonprofit, with show proceeds being donated to causes in the local community, particularly those committed to anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion.
The name also reflects the organization’s plans to evolve in the way theatrical productions are produced. The group is currently in virtual rehearsals for its first online production, which is also its first non-musical production. Their first virtual production, Alice in Wonderland, will take place on October 16th and 17th, 2020.
“We are committed to being inclusive, open and affirming as we continue to produce theater in both virtual, and when the time is safe, live environments,” said Hart. “We know that we must change and echoing the words from our 2019 production of ‘Newsies,’ the change starts ‘right damned now!’”
Since 2005, the Blue Light Players has donated the proceeds of its productions to aid the families of fallen and critically injured police officers. In that time, the organization has given more than $36,000 to its cause.
“Like the rest of the country, we have been deeply shaken by the violence we have witnessed because of institutional racism within the criminal justice system and within our communities. We realized that we could no longer continue to support that system,” stated Helen Hart, founder of the theater group. “As Maya Angelou said, ‘when we know better, we have to do better.’ We know that we have to do better with how our money supports our community.”
Evolve Theatrics will continue to operate as a 501(C) (3) nonprofit, with show proceeds being donated to causes in the local community, particularly those committed to anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion.
The name also reflects the organization’s plans to evolve in the way theatrical productions are produced. The group is currently in virtual rehearsals for its first online production, which is also its first non-musical production. Their first virtual production, Alice in Wonderland, will take place on October 16th and 17th, 2020.
“We are committed to being inclusive, open and affirming as we continue to produce theater in both virtual, and when the time is safe, live environments,” said Hart. “We know that we must change and echoing the words from our 2019 production of ‘Newsies,’ the change starts ‘right damned now!’”