HowlRound: Dear Holler,
Years ago when I was just starting my career, several actors and directors I knew were working with an up and coming company (now gone). One of those friends showed a play I'd written to a board member. He loved it; he thought it would be perfect for the upcoming season. He called me and I met him at the theater. We talked about the play, we talked about the company, he had even drafted a contract! He suggested we meet for coffee the next week. We had a great talk, but as we left he asked when we would "have some private time." I answered that we just did. Over the next few weeks he made it clear that he wanted to date me, and that the production was basically contingent on that.
1 comment:
Gun Shy is so brave to be able to share this experience and talk about an experience so miserable. It seems to me that there are very few of us in the theatre industry who haven't come across some sort of sexual misdemeanor in the workplace - whether by observing, hearing through the grapevine, or experiencing ourselves, and no matter what the involvement it is never an easy topic to discuss or bring forward to other people's attention. There are so many people who are being mistreated and allow themselves to be walked all over for fear of ruining their careers, and this needs to stop. It is so true that a theater's community extends beyond the people who currently work for it, and this pertains to all professions and aspects of life. You never know who you might end up working with or for, so it pays to treat others how you hope to be treated. Pay it forward and speak up when you or someone you know is being mistreated. Only then can this disgusting theatre habit be stomped out.
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