A Letter to our Community, from Giselle Byrd.

“This is the world I meant. Couldn't you listen?” 

Wise words from 'The Witch' in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into The Woods. 

The character is alluding to the giant that has destroyed the kingdom and its surrounding lands leaving the other characters lost, scared, and confused. "How did we get here? Where is the protection?" And thus, begins the blame game. They slowly start turning on one another, displacing  the cause of their despair onto one person, ignoring that they have each played a part. 

Isn't it funny how life imitates art? 

I am a Black, transgender woman from the American south advocating for change. Some folks in this country will view me as The Witch and they will try to blame me for much. I know the truth. We all know the truth. 

From Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, we saw the giant of white supremacy rampage, with a body fueled by oppression, genocide, warfare and discrimination. For some, the giant's appearance in these elections came as a shock, but we must acknowledge and recognize that the giant was always there. 

Lurking in the shadows, holding its breath, waiting for the right time to re-emerge. It did not dissipate with the murders of Tony McDade, Jasper Aaron Lynch, Sonya Massey, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, or countless others. It did not fade into the background as diminished rights and voter suppression took hold. 

This country has continuously shown us how they feel towards our youth, immigrants, people of color, women, queer and trans people, education, healthcare, the environment, and the very concept of liberty and justice for all. 

Starting next week, The Theater Offensive is providing opportunities of fellowship for our community and allies, along with resources to help our family persevere. This is essential now more than ever. These are the rules: 

NO BLAME. 

NO HATRED. 

LOVE. 

UNITY. 

LIBERATION. 

ABUNDANCE. 

What  we can, and what we will prepare for, is how we move forward. While this is not a fairytale ending for our community, this is an opportunity to begin a new chapter in our narrative and continue the story. We must claim it and take hold of the pen to write it for ourselves. We know that they will try to strip us of these tools. 

Please rest assured that while this incoming administration may fight to the bone to take away all of our basic human rights, they will not EVER take away our ability to create art. We will forever serve as a reminder of how injustice does not go unspoken. We will always meet the moment with our artistry. We will stand unified to slay the giant over the next four years and beyond. There is no other choice. Join us in person for our upcoming programming and help us continue our mission to present liberating art.

The revolution is NOW. 

With love and liberation, 

Giselle

Meet TTO’s New Executive Director

Giselle Byrd

(she/her)

Giselle Byrd is the new executive director of The Theater Offensive, which presents liberating art by, for, and about queer and trans people of color. She was appointed in December 2023, capping a decade’s experience in talent management, production, casting, script coverage, brand partnerships, and fundraising.

Byrd is the first Black trans woman to lead a regional theater company in the United States.

Before coming to TTO, Byrd worked at the Katz Company in New York, where she managed the careers of actors, musicians, activists, and content creators. Additionally, she created brand strategies and developed partnerships with companies such as OPI, Gucci, Google, The WNBA, GLAAD, Netflix, ViacomCBS, and BET.

As a documentary film producer, Byrd was the first transgender woman accepted in the Through Her Lens: The Tribeca Chanel Filmmaker Program. She was also the subject of the 2020 film “Giselle’s Story,” directed by Susan O’Brien. Byrd most recently produced “When We Arrive As Flowers,” starring choreographer Diovanna Òbafunmilayo, alongside Alexandra Billings and her production company, Schmengie. 

Born and raised in Augusta, Georgia, Byrd earned her B.F.A. at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she led the student theater group, 3rd Act Productions, and the SCAD Casting Office. After graduating, she moved to New York, where she apprenticed as a casting assistant for Laura Stanczyk Casting before joining The Katz Company. 

Byrd is a Guest Artist at her high school alma mater, the John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School in Augusta, Georgia. In that role she conducts master classes and casts, writes, and directs plays performed in festivals by middle school and high school students.

Byrd serves on the Boards of several LGBTQIA+ organizations, including the Ali Forney Center, the Leslie Lohman Museum of Art, and the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center.

She now lives in Boston, where her love for history thrives and she continues to dive deeper into the origins of her ancestors and trancestors.