In the room: Kaci M. Fannin, producer, multi-disciplinary artist, actor, community organizer, social justice advocate; and Dominique Sharpton, actor, Tony-winning producer and activist, national director of membership for National Action Network, one of the nation's oldest legacy civil rights organizations. From its very roots in ancient classics that often shaped current as well as historic events into life lessons, to Shakespeare's portraits of royal villains and heroes, to the cool-eyed issue plays of Brecht and the agitprop of Odets, theater has always been a political medium. Even when it is not overtly political, theater can be subversively persuasive as it invites us to empathize with characters and dares us to understand human behavior in its full spectrum of moral shades. Now, in a time when the arts are being defunded, DEI intiatives are being neutered and hard-won freedoms are being overturned, what can we, as artists, do to hold on to our values and protect our communities? Our courageous guests will offer a look at the "good fights" they are fighting every day, and suggest ways we can all help to effect change and make our voices heard.