Vanessa Williams, Billy Porter & Audra McDonald Record a Song ‘Stand for Change’

Vanessa Williams, Billy Porter and Audra McDonald and other founding members of Black Theatre United have recorded the song and video “Stand for Change,” with all proceeds donated to social justice efforts. The friends recorded their song parts separately due to the pandemic in partnership with the Republic Records Action Committee. Vanessa Williams, Billy Porter Audra McDonald Record Song ‘Stand Change’ along with other founding members.

The song is performed by 13 BTU founding members (all veterans of the Broadway stage) including Vanessa Williams, Billy Porter, Audra McDonald, Darius de Haas, Norm Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Lillias White, Allyson Tucker, Michael McElroy, NaTasha Yvette Williams, LaChanze, Wendell Pierce, and Capathia Jenkins, with additional founding members making appearances in the video.

It’s the latest step by Black-led groups trying to make Broadway more diversified.

“Over this past year, the pandemic has had a devastating impact on many industries, and the entertainment industry and the shutdown of Broadway has been hit significantly,” said co-founder Williams. “We’re hopeful ‘Stand for Change,’ will bring more attention to the plight of Black theatre artists and will inspire and empower people to believe we can make meaningful changes to create a more equitable society.”

“Stand for Change,” written by NYU professor Dave Schroeder and Grammy nominee Phil Galdston, is released in partnership with Republic Records Action Committee. Galdston produces with Swagg R’Celious. The video is produced by HunterPark Productions partners Bethanie Schwartz and Lauren Tuttman in collaboration with producer Liz Curtis, directed by filmmaker Michael Cooke, and edited by Zeus Sepulveda.

Vanessa Williams, Billy Porter & Audra McDonald Record a Song ‘Stand for Change’ Vanessa Williams, Billy Porter & Audra McDonald Record a Song ‘Stand for Change’

“Over this past year, the pandemic has had a devastating impact on many industries, and the entertainment industry and the shutdown of Broadway has been hit significantly,” said co-founder Williams. “We’re hopeful ‘Stand for Change,’ will bring more attention to the plight of Black theatre artists and will inspire and empower people to believe we can make meaningful changes to create a more equitable society.”