Salvage Vanguard: Community Observances Honoring Bombing Victims Draylen Mason and Anthony Stephan House, Postponement of CON FLAMA

Dear SVT Community,

Salvage Vanguard’s production of con flama by Sharon Bridgforth, which was scheduled to open this Thursday, March 15th, has been rescheduled to open on Thursday, March 22nd, for a three-week run, closing on April 7th.

We are taking this upcoming weekend to mourn the lives of Draylen Mason (age 17) and Anthony Stephan House (age 39) who were killed by package bombs left on the doorsteps of their East Austin homes. We are compelled to support the families of the recovering victims of the bombings, Draylen’s mother, Shamika Wilson, and Esparanza Herrera who was injured by a third package-bomb, by being present in the activities honoring these lives in East Austin this weekend.

The creative team for con flama are Black and Brown artists. We acknowledge that these package bombs, targeted at the homes of Black and Brown families affects the wider community of people of color in Austin and we will participate in remembering Draylen and Anthony and standing in solidarity against violence, hate crimes and racism.

The old theater saying, “The show must go on,” simply does not work for the story we are telling in con flama. I believe, that to be a “strong black woman” means having the courage to grieve, the courage to take space and give space, the courage to say no to emotional and psychological suppression, the courage to reflect on what the art is and what the art ultimately is for. Reflecting Salvage Vanguard’s mission to be accessible and inclusive, we are making it possible for the con flama community to be with their community, as themselves, in a time-signature that will be true for them, and not for the demands of an opening play weekend.

I am thankful for your understanding and partnership in supporting East Austin and its historically Black and Brown communities. Below are details on honoring Draylen and Anthony this weekend as well as an updated con flama schedule.

How you can support your East Austin neighbors...

Draylen Mason Memorial Fund https://www.youcaring.com/joneswilsonfamily-1129040

March 15th: “Unity of the People Can Bring Down Any System,” a community gathering at Greater Mt. Zion Church, at 6:30p hosted by Austin Justice Coalition and Black Lives Matter Austin.

March 16th: “Push for Peace” a community gathering at East Austin College Prep at 6:30p hosted by CounterBalanceATX and Black Pflugerville.

March 17th: con flama community healing performance & gathering at Givens Park at 6:00pm

con flama info...

Please join us next weekend, March 22, 23 and 24th for the opening of con flama by Sharon Bridgforth. With performances Thursday through Saturday nights at 7:30pm at the Dougherty Arts Center.

Thank you,
Florinda Bryant
co-Producing Artistic Director, Salvage Vanguard Theater

con flama
by Sharon Bridgforth
Salvage Vanguard Theater