A LETTER FROM CHISA HUTCHINSON

This spring, Primary Stages had the great honor of producing Chisa Hutchinson’s Amerikin at 59E59 Theaters. It was meaningful not only because this homegrown play began in our Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group, but because we believe Chisa Hutchinson is an exceptional voice in the American Theater who deserves widespread recognition and acclaim. 

You can imagine our surprise and deep gratitude when Chisa donated half of her writer’s fee back to Primary Stages. As Chisa said in her own words:

I’m gonna keep this real short because we’ve all got work to do, but also because there’s nothing I can say that speaks louder than the fact that my broke, Black ass just donated half the writer’s fee I got for Amerikin back to Primary Stages. I did this despite congestion pricing, despite an abrupt $800/month increase in my property taxes, and despite eggs approaching the price of black-market kidneys. I did this even though I haven’t landed a film or TV gig since the WGA strike in 2023 and even as funding for projects already in progress evaporates under the heat of flaming Fascism.

I did it because I’m pretty sure that not doing it — not supporting an organization that produced my very anti-racist play after giving me the space to develop it during the second of my three years in its Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group, not backing a company bravely defying edicts that seek to outlaw my very identity — would make me an idiot and an asshole. I did it because my integrity was itching me. Perhaps yours is itching you, too. You should go ahead and scratch that with a gift to Primary Stages.

-Chisa Hutchinson, Amerikin Playwright

MAKE AN IMPACT TODAY

Chisa is the embodiment of giving back, and having our work and mission validated by her words and donation is one of the highest honors we’ve ever received. We hope you’ll consider joining Chisa by making a tax-deductible gift to Primary Stages before our fiscal year ends on June 30. Your donation will help us meet a generous $20,000 challenge grant from a Board Member, doubling the impact of your support.

$50 = $100
$100 = $200
$250 = $500
$500 = $1,000

By making a gift to Primary Stages, you can help us continue producing the work we believe in, with the artists we believe in, without compromise.