CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Roxy Regional Theatre invites the public to join them on Tuesday, June 9, for a special marquee lighting ceremony and moment of silence in memory of George Floyd, the Minnesota man whose death at the hands of police has sparked a series of protests around the country.
During the event, the Roxy will light their marquee and observe approximately nine minutes of silence, nine minutes being the length of time Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck.
“We hope that attendees will use that time as a brief moment of honest reflection and a renewed dedication to positive change and the devotion to being the change,” said Roxy Executive Director Ryan Bowie in a recent email to patrons.
The Roxy has said that local leaders will be in attendance for the event and will speak following the moment of silence. Theatre staff hope the event will serve as a message of inclusion for locals.
“We have a vision of complete inclusivity between all races, genders, sexual orientations and backgrounds in our theatre. We have a vision of complete acceptance and willingness to change from the patrons who support our productions and our mission,” Bowie said. “But sometimes it requires us to take an honest look outside of our “normal” to listen and empathize and recognize and implement change.
“But, to be completely transparent and from the hearts of everyone at the Roxy Regional Theatre, black lives matter. We hope to continue to live in a United States of America, but right now we are NOT united. So our mission will remain the same, to present first rate, professional theatre to Clarksville-Montgomery County and Middle Tennessee with an emphasis on education, but now with a special focus on how we can unite our community on multiple fronts, emphasizing the importance that black lives matter.”
The Roxy closed its doors to the public in March, and will remain closed for the next several months, though staff will soon announce a new slate of productions for their upcoming 38th season: ‘Don’t Dream It – Be It.”
Attendees are strongly encouraged to recommend masks and to practice appropriate social distancing.
For more updates on the Roxy and upcoming events, visit them on Facebook or their website.