Friday, February 24, 2017
Dead Writers Theater to Close in Wake of Harassment Allegations
PerformInk: When Megan DeLay decided to drop out of Dead Writers Theatre Collective’s 4-performance April fundraiser a week and a half before rehearsals began, she unknowingly set into motion a series of events that have threatened the viability of the organization. DeLay was cast in a more remunerative project, which put her in the difficult situation of dropping a show with the company that she has worked with at least a half-dozen times. It’s a situation that a lot of actors face, the pay is so little in this industry that you have to take what you can get. The fundraiser production of “Angel Street” (also titled “Gaslight”) would not be reviewed by critics or eligible for Jeff Awards.
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I read another article about this incident, and this article paints a much clearer, and a much more unfortunate story. This version of the story also makes more sense. I’m now wondering how all of this went on this long and why no one quit sooner. If DeLay hadn’t posted on Facebook or if Schneider hadn’t replied, this whole mess would probably still be continuing as usual. The other article made it sound like the core of this situation was the Facebook posts, but it seems like the core of this situation is Schneider’s consistently terrible and inappropriate treatment of his cast and crew. Quite frankly, I’m surprised and sad that this behavior didn’t blow up in Schneider’s face sooner. I suppose he could keep doing it because it was the best paying job his cast had, and they were willing to put up with him because of that, and I think that degree of desperation for a good paying job as an actor is rather sad, though I’m not sure how it can be fixed. However, what can be fixed is not letting people get away with the way Schneider behaved and other people who behaved similarly. Though I haven’t been there personally, and I realize this is easier said than done, I’d like to think that if I saw management at a theatre I worked at treating the cast/crew like this, I’d quit on principle. Obviously I can’t know if I would for sure, and I’m certainly not judging anyone other than Schneider in this situation. Also, I’m aware that this article doesn’t tell Schneider’s side of the story, but this article includes enough perspectives that, paired with the incident itself, it seems pretty damning.
I think, unfortunately, this is another example of people lower on the totem pole afraid to speak up for fear or retribution and a violation of basic rights continuing for much longer than it should have. In an ideal world, these issues would be addressed as they happen and due repercussions would be dealt out accordingly, but sadly that is not often the way the world works. I think it is the same concept as a stagehand speaking up when asked to do something they feel is unsafe or wrong, because an environment in which all people working do not feel comfortable is not a safe place to be. I would like to see more of what Schneider is saying in response to all of this, as this article seems to focus heavily on the argument against him, but from what I have read it does not look good for him at all. I think, while the end of a theatre collective is in my mind always bittersweet, this one might have been for the better.
Ali is absolutely correct in saying that this is, unfortunately, a very typical case of people being afraid to speak out about sexual assault because they are scared that they will lose their job, or that the company will not support them in the necessary ways. It is only natural for people in lower positions of power to feel threatened by their superiors, especially if the superiors have taken advantage of them in some way. Too often we see that companies or bosses do not handle these allegations seriously or with as much anger as I might like, but this company seems like it is taking a step in the right direction. Obviously no one wants their organization to be plagued with these allegations, or shut down but the way that we treat sexual assault will not change until we start punishing for it the way it supposed to be. Too many people get away with this crime because of their standing in a company or amount of wealth, and crime should be crime no matter who you are, how much you make, or who's boss you are.
At first I sympathised with Schneider, while his actions were childish he was frustrated at an actor leaving at such an imperative time. But paragraphs in when he invited board members to a rehearsal with nudity and then the no photography contract was broken I had no sympathy left. The photography without permission is outrageous even if the actors had clothes on, a circulating unflattering picture could be a lost job or a damaged image. And it only got worse with Schneider taking the photos himself, even using them for marketing. As I read this article I kept on thinking this cant get any worse, and everytime without fail it did. Everything hinged back to Schneider and Douglas, and their abuse of power. It’s amazing how two people can singlehandedly destroy an inter theater company. Absolutely ridiculous how far it escalated by the time it was made public, I’m shocked the company lasted as long as it did. I feel like I just read the script for some new reality t.v. show.
Article Rating:
10/10
Notes:
“We live in a strange bubble” Brian Molko
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