The Riverfront Times recently ran a piece on the Kevin Kline Awards, which honors the best of St. Louis theater. Reviewer Dennis Brown mentions Ron Himes’ (founder of the Black Rep) lack of participation in the awards. Brown insists that by refusing to participate in the awards, Himes is practicing “the most small-minded kind of segregation.” In not commenting on or explaining his lack of participation, Ron Himes has become the target of ridicule by various members of the St. Louis theater community. I believe race is a central issue in this debate, and that the backlash against Himes is undeserved.
Emily Strembicki
Via email