COTTONWOOD, Ariz. — Emerson Theater Collaborative (ETC) President Camilla Ross recently presented a check to Verde Valley Sanctuary (VVS) for $3,946 as a donation of the proceeds from her most recent production, “Silence is Not Golden.”
Written by Anita Yellin Simons, “Silence is Not Golden” was presented to the public during a three-day stretch in September at Verde Valley School’s Brady Hall. It was written and produced to raise awareness on domestic and sexual violence.
Ross said that Emerson Theater Collaborative’s mission has always been to use theatre as a catalyst for conversation, connection and social change. With “Silence is Not Golden,” the group turned their focus to an issue that affects far too many lives in silence – domestic violence.
“This production was a call to awareness. It was an opportunity to break through the silence that too often surrounds abuse and to honor the courage of survivors,” Ross said. “Our creative team and cast have approached this work with sensitivity and deep respect, knowing that theatre can hold space for truth-telling and healing.”
Arizona consistently ranks among the states with high rates of reported domestic violence, with nearly one in four women and one in seven men will experience severe intimate partner violence in their lifetime.
