Actors’ Equity Association doesn’t think so. The union that represents stage performers announced this week that it would cease using the title “Gypsy Robe” to describe one of its most cherished insider rituals — the passing of a colorful patchwork garment from one chorus to another on a Broadway show’s opening night — citing the potential offense to Roma people.
The action is prompting a combination of reflection and head-scratching in the tight-knit theater world.
1 comment:
There are many traditions and slang in the theatre industry that is offensive and not with the times. Being politically correct is huge and important right now, especially in industry situations. People are beginning to hold higher-ups accountable for using the wrong phrasing and terms. For example, there are many slang terms used to identify equipment in technical theatre. Calling a plug end of a cable “male” and the outlet “female” is something that comes to mind. Gender is becoming more and more widely questioned and explored, and, while they are just terms for cabling, it is somewhat out of date. Yeah, it might not be totally harmful. But we do live in a world where everything that has something resembling a penis is seen as male and whatever that phallic thing goes into is considered female. I just wonder how that makes members of the LGBTQ+ community feel. It is important to consider these things, even if they might seem small and insignificant, even stupid, to the people who aren’t affected by such things. It’s all a part of taking steps to increase representation.
Post a Comment