AMERICAN THEATRE: It is common knowledge that of all the theatrical disciplines, the field of design, production, and technical theatre are the most male-dominated (with costuming being the exception). The question worth asking is why, and a new survey by Millikin University in Decatur, Ill., may provide the answer.
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My hope when reading this article was to not feel the pervasive paternal dominance of this industry. However, the survey from Millikin University in Decatur has some pretty strong evidence to suggest that the male-dominated industry that is entertainment is just not providing a conducive space for females. This is ridiculous and insightful. Ridiculous because everyone deserves the right and the opportunity to pursue what they love; lack of paid maternity leave and workplace discrimination should not be reasons to not pursue theatre. And if those are reasons that displease you, than we need to CHANGE THAT! Insightful because maybe this is the evidence we need to start making more steps toward positive change. Away from the male-dominance and more toward an equal and fair workplace environment. PAY DISPARITY NEEDS TO CHANGE. I’ve ready so many articles about the metoo movement and on equal pay, and I just wish there was some easy way to snap my fingers and make this industry fair.
It makes me really sad that it can be such a struggle for women to pursue their dream because of hostile work environments. I have had my fair share of difficult experiences already, which is sad to hear from someone who has only been doing theatre for such a short time. I just struggle to understand why this has to be a problem. Whether it's the idea that women are not strong enough to carry something or need help lifting or that they're fair game to be hit on, it's just a difficult thing to think about and put into words when I am a woman who is committing to this for the rest of my life.
A very large problem in American workplaces is this struggle for working parents. I have obviously not gotten to that point in my life yet, but it has to be greatly difficult and challenging to have to fight for your job when (and just because) you're pregnant.
I'd like to think that there is change coming soon, whether it's in my lifetime or the next generation's, I want to see an equal amount of both male and female designers in the industry. I am glad that both my high school and CMU have an incredible amount of representation in all genders, and I hope that this can be the same in my and all women's future workplaces.
It makes me really sad that it can be such a struggle for women to pursue their dream because of hostile work environments. I have had my fair share of difficult experiences already, which is sad to hear from someone who has only been doing theatre for such a short time. I just struggle to understand why this has to be a problem. Whether it's the idea that women are not strong enough to carry something or need help lifting or that they're fair game to be hit on, it's just a difficult thing to think about and put into words when I am a woman who is committing to this for the rest of my life.
A very large problem in American workplaces is this struggle for working parents. I have obviously not gotten to that point in my life yet, but it has to be greatly difficult and challenging to have to fight for your job when (and just because) you're pregnant.
I'd like to think that there is change coming soon, whether it's in my lifetime or the next generation's, I want to see an equal amount of both male and female designers in the industry. I am glad that both my high school and CMU have an incredible amount of representation in all genders, and I hope that this can be the same in my and all women's future workplaces.
I feel like in the theatre industry, we like to think we’re above issues like this. As if we’re so progressive and harassment never happens. People like to call it a “community” rather than industry, but I think if it were truly a community, the men would fight back more against this. I say the men should be doing this because women didn’t create the problem. It’s not our fault that men cannot accept us working alongside, above, or below them. Women in the industry do not have an obligation to fix this because we didn’t do it. The men in this industry need to take some responsibility for the toxic and uncomfortable culture they’ve created for us. Women are so nervous to take up space in any industry. We are harassed and belittled by our co-workers, bosses, and employees. It really needs to stop. We continue to talk about the film industry, but we can’t act like we’re much better.
Overall, this makes me feel sad, angry, and discouraged.
It is crazy to think that most (almost all) design areas are male-dominated. As a female who wants to pursue lighting, I haven't let this information deter me, rather I use it as motivation, when I think about what I want to do after I graduate. The one thing I worry about in the future is getting the door shut before I even enter because I'm a woman. I would like to say that I am confident (in myself and my abilities) so I know i can put in the work and prove that I am just as good if not better than any man that does the same job. I'm passionate about the work I do so I would fight anyone who is willing to tell me that I can't or shouldn't be doing what I love. Women have been, are, and will continue to fight for equality in the workplace. I partially believe that men discriminate against female designers because they are scared that they will be better than them. Yes, there are brilliant male designers but a lot of the time female work is more creative, innovative, and thought-provoking. My intention is not to belittle male designers in any way but in a creative and collaborative industry, women tend to have a lot of very valuable traits that men sometimes lack. Again to any male reading this it is not directed at you, this is thinking about men that doing things, say things, or make it hard for women to excel. Women shouldn't have to jump over more barriers to do the same work.
This is reminiscent of the article from USITT a couple of weeks ago, also discussing male dominance in technical theatre and women citing harassment, discrimination, pay disparity, and lack of maternity leave as reasons for leaving the industry. At this point in my young life, this is discouraging but not a deterrent. At this point in my life, it is a motivator because I want to spite the industry into equality. When I worked professionally in fabrication, load-in, and strike, impostor syndrome and stereotype threat kicked in big time. But whenever I thought about quitting, I felt angry that I was made to feel this way. I would always come back with renewed resolve and intention to make it to the top even if I had to claw my way there. What a story that would make. And here I am at Carnegie Mellon University. I still haven't quit.
It’s absolutely awful how male-dominated (and often anti-female) most theatres are. Especially in an industry that thinks itself to be uber progressive, women should not have to work harder - or jump over more hurdles or do anything less equitable - than men in the world of theatre. Even in costume design (the only design field that is female dominated), there is bias. On multiple occasions, upon explaining my interest in costume design, I have been told that that field would be a good fit for me because (and I quote) “women like pretty things”. To have my profession - a legitimate, real, money-making profession - reduced to the inclinations of a magpie is perhaps one of the only times I haven’t been able to think of words to respond with. I was completely dumbfounded that someone could be so uncouth and ignorant about an industry in which they themselves worked. For years, men have created toxic and uncomfortable environments in the workplace - and not just in theatre - and it’s about damn time that changes.
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