Past Rebecca Luker Theatrical Partnership Recipients

The 2022 Rebecca Luker Partnership is with Karen Richards.

Karen Antoinette Richards, originally from Jamaica, is a graduate of The University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Theatre Performance with a minor in Musical Theatre. Some of Karen’s credits include: Deloris in SISTER ACT, Oda Mae Brown in GHOST: the Musical, Farmer’s Wife in MOTHER COURAGE, Gary Coleman in AVENUE Q, Emma in STUPID FUCKING BIRD, Effie White in DREAMGIRLS, Medda Larkin in NEWSIES, Ursula in THE LITTLE MERMAID, and Motormouth Maybelle in HAIRSPRAY. She is looking forward to being a part of something bigger than her through learning and creating with this fellowship and Clear Space Theatre. 

The partnership with Karen Richards will enhance audience outreach and participation to those individuals and communities that don’t often see their stories reflected onstage or those that may not have the financial means to attend the theater. James FitzSimmons states, “Karen has a clear-eyed vision for this production and what it has to offer the community. And we both truly want to start conversations that are needed in the community.” The expectation is that Ms. Richards will be able to meet with student groups and other community organizations in Sussex County and invite them to attend a performance of THE SUBMISSION with a post-performance discussion. Karen Richards asserts, “As an actor, I have had many people tell me that theater is not therapy but for me that is what it has been. Through the stage I have reclaimed myself and I want to share that same opportunity with others. After THE SUBMISSION, I want people to start the conversations that we have either shied away from or have only touched on lightly. That conversation is that representation matters, our stories need to be told, but at what cost? Do we have to keep sacrificing ourselves in order to see that day arrive? Can you, the audience, put yourselves in their shoes and choose to make a change?”