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Tyler Schank, a cast member in OST's "West Side Story," models angel wings.
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Orlando’s Theatre Community Pitches In to Protect Pulse Funerals

Two Orlando theatres are creating and organizing a creative way to block Westboro Baptist Church’s anti-gay protests from view of mourners.

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ORLANDO, FLA.: In light of a recent announcement that the Westboro Baptist Church plans to protest funerals for the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting, Orlando theatres have partnered to protect so the victims’ families and friends can grieve in peace. Orlando Shakespeare Theater (OST) has started the “Angel Wing Project,” for which the company will build large wings to protect mourners from seeing the anti-gay protesters.

The idea came from Romaine Patterson, who used what she called Angel Action Wings in 1999 to fight back against an anti-homosexual group when the members picketed the trials for Matthew Shepard’s killers. The killing of the 21-year-old for being gay inspired Moises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project‘s The Laramie Project.

Angel Action protesters in Laramie, Wyo.
Angel Action protesters in Laramie, Wyo.

OST’s artistic director Jim Helsinger reached out to Kaufman when he heard that Westboro would be protesting the funerals, and Kaufman suggested Angel Action Wings. OST’s costume shop, with the help of volunteers from arts community, is in the process of sewing wing suits—angel costumes with large white wings—which company members will wear to block the hateful anti-gay picket signs brandished by members of the Westboro Baptist Church. Patrons and artists from the community donated the funds and labor to build the wings.

“Angel wings are meant as a loving support to the fallen, not to create more anger or violence,” Helsinger says.

Orlando Repertory Theatre (ORT) is also working with OST on the logistics of filing for counter-protest permits and schedules. A Facebook group has been created to keep the public informed on how and when they can show up for the peaceful counter-protests.

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11 thoughts on “Orlando’s Theatre Community Pitches In to Protect Pulse Funerals”

  1. For a detailed pattern in making these angels, click on Action Angel Wings 1999, and there is a link on that site for a 2 pages of instructions…

  3. I would totally volunteer to wear Angel wings if i lived in Orlando. Love and peace to you all from Texas!

  4. This is so beautiful, I have tears in my eyes. This must be such a relief for the families.

  5. Excellent! It would be great if a wide rainbow could be added above the wearers’ heads. The symbol is appropriate and it would further block the protesting creeps behind.

    1. All funds for angel wings are already collected and the project is fully funded. Please donate to oneorlando.org, a fund set up by the mayor of Orlando to assist victims and their families.

  7. What a bunch of horrible people … Give these people space to mourn their loved ones. Why would you picket something like this? Standing strong with Orlando – Bless you American Theatre for doing something so wonderful! As a Christian, I’m sad to say they’re one of us… and want you to know that WE love you!

    1. They are not a real church. It’s a “congregation” made up of the members of one single family who use lines from the Bible to justify their desire to get attention for being hateful to a wide-ranging diverse group of people, from people from the LGTBQ+ community to US soldiers and on and on.

      1. WBBC is the FIRST group the IRS should investigate and summarily remove their tax exempt status. They are anything BUT a church.

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