Thursday, January 11, 2018
The Dangerous Complicities in Community Theatre
OnStage Blog: Since starting this blog in May of 2014, from time to time we have reported and commented on various unethical behavior happening in community theatres all over the world. From copying set designs without permission to whitewashing shows to sexual harassment, if it's reported to us, we're likely going to comment on it.
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2 comments:
I find this article is merely stating the obvious. Yes, no one likes to admit they are in the wrong. I think it is very interesting how the author seems to emphasize this problem as a community theatre issues. I think this is an issue of all businesses from every industry. I understand how it might stand out more in community theatre as community theatres might use this strategy to stay afloat more due to the very fine line that many community theatres have been breaking even on a show and being bankrupt from a show. As horrible as this sounds I think that issue is one all companies will deal with until the end of time as many leaders of a company want their employees painting a beautiful image of where they work. Overall, yes this a problem but I also say that it unstoppable because it follows the property of groupthink, which when a group of like-minded individuals have stronger thoughts about an issue because they are in a room with people only with that viewpoint.
This article just echoes the age old idea that you don't let silence lead to abuse. It happens all the time, in sports teams, in ballet classes, in piano lessons, olympic gymnastics, etc. Community theaters are sometimes a great place for growth, positivity, and family for many people but just like anything else, it just takes one bad seed and whole lot of compliance to turn something beautiful into something despicable. This article mentions that parents let sexual misconduct ensue do to the fact that it keeps their kids in bigger roles, in a sense it keeps them happy. I don't understand why any parent thinks that creepy behavior is and being uncomfortable is something that would an easy price to pay for bigger roles. Feeling uncomfortable in a working environment to me is the definition of unhappiness. It's important for community theatres, especially the ones with children, to take the proper measures to ensure than intentions are pure, that rehearsals are properly accounted for, and that there is always more than one witness in the room.
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