Thread by @HESherman

I had planned to follow yesterday's tweetstorm by exploring other aspects of the pandemic's effect on the arts. But first I should speak to some of the responses I've received. No shouting today. First, my heart goes out to everyone affected.

I heard both from people who have lost jobs and those training to enter the field. My message also embraces those who teach and those whose livelihoods are contingent upon the arts functioning, even if they don't work in the arts themselves.

Despite my effort to keep my tweets from being political, I certainly heard from those who view the arts as a frivolous, liberal activity that isn't worth savings, and indeed from those who think arts works are having a lark on a daily basis. Maybe we can't reach them. Yet.

But all work is of value, all jobs contribute to our economy. As I wrote yesterday, my goal was not to to elevate the arts above others, only to ask that we be treated equally. I certainly understand that many fields and many people are in economic distress.

But as always, my advocacy is for the field, the community, in which I have made my life to date. And make no mistake about it: I'm facing these challenges too. I took 2019 off to write a book. I planned to return to regular work in 2020, and my timing couldn't have been worse.

Some have interpreted my Twitter thread as a call to reopen venues, and that couldn't be farther from my intent. I believe we must follow the guidance of scientists and doctors, which makes reopening impossible anytime soon. But we must be responsible and do what's best for all.

Yes, I miss theatre, which is both my vocation and my avocation – it is the thing I love in my life. But no thing is more important than the health of those I love and the many I will never meet. That must take precedence. If that is a political stance, so be it.

What struck me most in the responses is how much people in our situation need to feel seen and heard. People feel alone and misunderstood. Several said their friends and family joke about them being "on vacation." So we must give emotional support to our peers and our colleagues.

Those who have the ability to make donations to performing arts non-profits that are providing support to those out of work should by all means do so. But support also means reaching out and giving of ourselves, even when we can't do that in person for safety reasons.

Those who know my writing know of my deep admiration for those who teach in the arts at every level. Just because they weren't specifically named in yesterday's thread should not mean that they are less important or forgotten. We must also support our educators – and our students

There's no question that young people who have just begun careers in the arts, or planned to do so, are worried and even rethinking their choices, and that's understandable. They may of necessity have to shift to other fields, but I hope we can welcome them back in better days.

As I wrote yesterday, our industry is not lesser than any other, nor are its people. And like other fields, we will return. Just as families and friends long to meet together again, to hug, to laugh, to shout with joy, the arts will speak and sing again, perhaps in new ways.

But I remain convinced that we must shout to make sure that we are not forgotten in a time of crisis for the country at large. We cannot gather together in person for rallies or marches because to do so is not safe for ourselves and for countless others. But we must be heard.

By the way: next time someone tells you that jobs in the performing arts aren't *real* jobs, please suggest that if they feel that way, they should throw out their TVs, cancel their Netflix and Spotify subscriptions, and never watch a scripted story again.