Erica Lauren Ortiz (she/her)
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ericalaurenortiz.bsky.social
Erica Lauren Ortiz (she/her)
@ericalaurenortiz.bsky.social
Founder, Producing Events & Experiences @ #TheBrandprint

Arts Advocacy at Theatre Communications Group

Project Manager at TheAfroGames South Africa 2025

Opinions = Mine
Reposted by Erica Lauren Ortiz (she/her)
This Library Workers Day, AFSCME salutes the workers who power public libraries. The White House is defunding the only federal agency that supports libraries, the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

We are challenging the move in court: www.afscme.org/press/releas...
April 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
My girlies group text is more secure than the nation.

#BUTHEREMAILS
March 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Today a troll/hater told me to be "indecent and thorough"
two men are talking and one of them says " i do not think it means what you think it means .. "
ALT: two men are talking and one of them says " i do not think it means what you think it means .. "
media.tenor.com
March 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Proud to co-lead in this advocacy effort. Thank you to @aclu.org and the field for the support!

tcg.org/Web/News/Pre...
March 8, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Reposted by Erica Lauren Ortiz (she/her)
After firing the Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and top ranking Black officials, Trump's Pentagon is now deleting thousands of images of Black service members, women, and LGBT references in an effort to stamp out diversity.

apnews.com/article/dei-...
March 7, 2025 at 3:52 AM
The @aclu.org & @riaclu.bsky.social have filed suit on behalf of theatre organizations, including TCG, to challenge a new NEA grant guideline mandating that applicants comply with the president’s anti-trans “gender ideology” executive order to receive funding. www.americantheatre.org/2025/03/06/a...
Artists Mount 1st Amendment Challenge to New NEA Grant Requirements
Filed by the ACLU on behalf of theatre organizations, including TCG, the suit is aimed at a new anti-trans guideline recently added by the endowment.
www.americantheatre.org
March 6, 2025 at 5:04 PM
BREAKING NEWS: @aclu.org has filed lawsuit on behalf of artists and theatre organizations, including TCG, to challenge a new #NEA grant guideline mandating that applicants comply with the president’s anti-trans “gender ideology” executive order to receive funding. via @americantheatre.bsky.social:
Artists Mount 1st Amendment Challenge to New NEA Grant Requirements
Filed by the ACLU on behalf of theatre organizations, including TCG, the suit is aimed at a new anti-trans guideline recently added by the endowment.
www.americantheatre.org
March 6, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Reposted by Erica Lauren Ortiz (she/her)
TCG’s newest annual report of U.S. theatres’ financial health, which covers 2023, shows plenty of cause for concern amid signs of resilience and promise.

www.americantheatre.org/2025/03/03/t...
TCG’s Theatre Facts: Some Revenue Growth but a Drop in Assets
TCG's newest annual report of U.S. theatres' financial health, which covers 2023, shows plenty of cause for concern amid signs of resilience and promise.
www.americantheatre.org
March 3, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Ma Dukes was a titan whom I first encountered at about 16 years old. She encouraged us young folk during our first meeting to have more "sticktuity" - to turn our youthful passion into sustained activism. Thanjs for the many lessons along the way.
NAACP New York State Conference President and civil rights activist Hazel N. Dukes has died Saturday at the age of 92, according to her son Ronald Dukes.
March 1, 2025 at 6:22 PM
In the wake of sweeping layoffs and furloughs across the federal workforce, many Washington, DC-area theatres are offering complimentary and discounted tickets to those affected. Via @theatrewash.bsky.social: theatrewashington.org/updates/free...
Free and Discounted Tickets for Federal Workers
In the wake of sweeping layoffs and furloughs across the Federal workforce, many DC-area theatres are offering tickets to those affected.
theatrewashington.org
February 27, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Reposted by Erica Lauren Ortiz (she/her)
Hey, artists, in case you were wondering if your work matters: I'm a scientist working on climate change and biodiversity, and I would not be who I am today without The Lorax, The Secret of NIMH, Watership Down, The Last Unicorn, and The X-Files. I know I'm not alone. Thank you for all you do.
February 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Reposted by Erica Lauren Ortiz (she/her)
BREAKING: Judge blocks Trump administration from terminating DEI-related grants, calling the president's executive orders too vague to be enforced.
Judge blocks Trump administration from terminating DEI-related grants
The judge found the administration's mandate that grant recipients do not engage in "equity-related" programs was too broad.
www.nbcnews.com
February 22, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Black history. American history.
With all the talk of “constitutional crisis”focused on separation of powers,there’s been too little focus on Trump’s dedication to dismantling what historian Eric Foner calls “the most impt addition to the Constitution since the Bill of Rights.” The 14th Amendment.
open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...
February 19, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Fairly sure this grey is from trying to lead in this moment.
February 19, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Reposted by Erica Lauren Ortiz (she/her)
Our statement on the Kennedy Center cancellation of the tour Finn, a musical for young audiences. Read the full statement on our website -
www.actorsequity.org/news/PR/Finn...
February 13, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Google knows everything about me, you, yo mama and your cousin too - but can't "sustain" remembering when it's Black History Month.

That's a Gulf of BS
February 13, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The #KennedyCenter website is now "under maintenance".

#theatre #theatersky #arts #artssky #theatrebsky
February 13, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Reposted by Erica Lauren Ortiz (she/her)
UPDATE: The White House defended its decision to block The Associated Press from covering two official events on Tuesday because it did not refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
White House defends blocking AP from event for using 'Gulf of Mexico'
The White House blocked the Associated Press from covering two official events on Tuesday because it did not refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
www.npr.org
February 12, 2025 at 10:47 PM
...
npr.org NPR @npr.org · Feb 11
The public broadcaster says it is closing its Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) office to comply with a recent executive order from President Donald Trump.
PBS shutters DEI office
The public broadcaster says it is closing its Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) office to comply with a recent executive order from President Donald Trump.
www.npr.org
February 11, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Reposted by Erica Lauren Ortiz (she/her)
The NEA will no longer fund arts programs that promote DEI or "gender ideology." The federal agency has cancelled grants that have funded programs for underserved communities for more than 20 years.
'Chilling effect': Arts organizations react to end of DEI initiatives from fed agency
The NEA will no longer fund arts programs that promote DEI or "gender ideology." The federal agency has cancelled grants that have funded programs for underserved communities for more than 20 years.
www.npr.org
February 11, 2025 at 11:34 PM
So Interim Executive Director isn't a job under the current Kennedy Center structure.... but umm... www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Trump names loyalist Ric Grenell interim boss of Kennedy Center
Grenell held several posts during Trump’s first term, including ambassador to Germany.
www.politico.com
February 11, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by Erica Lauren Ortiz (she/her)
The NEA's new arts grants guidelines prioritize art celebrating next year's U.S. semiquincentennial, though not to the exclusion of other applicants. The bigger issue: All applicants must comply with President Trump's anti-DEI and anti-trans executive orders. www.americantheatre.org/2025/02/10/n...
New NEA Guidelines Require Compliance With Trump’s Anti-DEI, Anti-Trans Orders
Other updates include a cancellation of Challenge America grants and a new emphasis on patriotic ‘America250’ projects.
www.americantheatre.org
February 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM