Hi! I'm Joyce Lee. When I was a young college student, I had a professor that devalued the accomplishments of black writers and artists, so I complained to the Dean of Student Affairs. He was not on my side, he sided with the professor and could care less about how I was affected. Eventually it occurred to me that systemic racism in education is at the root of many ills that Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) students encounter. So, I decided to write a play about it and I won a scholarship of $500 to present it at The Hollywood Fringe Festival in Los Angeles, CA. In order to rent a theatre, and showcase wonderful actors I set out to raise $5,000. So far, $2,000 down and $3,000 to go.
In my play, "The Dean's Office", Tammi, a black woman and her son, Sir, journey through systemic racist policies in the American educational system. These policies affect everyone in the community: the students, parents, teachers and even the administrators who are expected to execute them.
There is no racial equity in education. Not until a social justice movement was ignited in 2019 over the police killing of George Floyd, did school boards begin to entertain the idea of championing racial equity in higher learning. Pew Research studies showed that in 2019, only 5% of black professors was hired full-time at colleges and universities. The numbers are as dismal for black administrators.
In The Dean's Office Tammi has no black administrators to turn to with her dilemma.
The Dean’s Office expresses issues that affect BIPOC in educational institutions, including BIPOC women. My production places a black woman's voice in the front of the conversation. Tamara is not a tertiary character, nor is the Latinx dean, Ms. Silva who she confronts when her son is called into her office. Like Tamara, Ms. Silva's character is not there to carry someone else's story in the play, but to bring value and importance to her story as a Latina. She is expected to carry out racist policing policies against black and brown children at her school.
YOU CAN HELP BRING AWARENESS TO RACISTS EDUCATIONAL POLICIES!
Your donation, no matter how big or small will help with the costs of:
Venue
Live-streaming
Rehearsal Space
Stage Manager
Technician
Lighting Designer
Sound Engineer
Director
Actors
Parking
WAYS YOU CAN HELP!
Match my scholarship gift ($500)
In-Kind Donations (Printing, Marketing, Crew, The Dean's Office memorabilia, t-shirts, hats, pencils, food.)
AFTER THE HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL
The plan is to tour the show.
WITH GRATITUDE
I am most grateful for your support and would like to honor you for your generous donation. For:
$30 Friend (a link to live-streamed play, Value $15)
$50 Patron (a link to live-streamed play, Name in The Dean’s Office program, Value $40)
$100 Silver (a link to live-streamed play, Name in The Dean’s Office on-line newsletter and program, Value: $80)
$200 Gold (a link to live-streamed play, Name in The Dean’s Office on-line newsletter and program and logo on The Dean’s Office poster that will circulate on The Hollywood Fringe Theatre Festival’s website 45,000 times, Value: $185)
$250 Platinum (a link to live-streamed play, 4 tickets, Name in The Dean’s Office on-line newsletter and program, logo on The Dean’s Office poster that will circulate on The Hollywood Fringe Theatre Festival’s website 45,000 times, plus a half page Recognition in The Dean's Office program. Value: $235)
$500 Diamond (a link to live-streamed play, 4 tickets, Name in The Dean’s Office on-line newsletter and program, and your personal business recognition to appear on The Hollywood Fringe Theatre Festival’s website 45,000 times, plus a Full page Recognition in The Dean's Office program. Value: $360)
