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Monday, September 27, 2021
Tony Awards delivers surprises and calls for change on Broadway
Broadway News: The Tony Awards ceremony Sunday gave several long-awaited awards to members of the theater community, while delivering a few surprises in the major categories.
I am extremely surprised that the “Slave Play” did not take home any awards. I know there was a lot of controversy surrounding it but there is something to be said about the lack of diversity in the award winners this year. I am glad that this event was used as a platform to call for change in the industry. The more it is brought up, the closer we will be to a better and more equitable work environment throughout the entire industry. I hope that between the comments made on stage at the Tony’s and the ongoings with IATSE right now that the next year can bring forth new change in every part of the industry, onstage and off. I especially appreciated Warren’s comments that “the world has been screaming for us to change.” It’s true and hopefully those with more power will start to listen as the screaming gets louder.
I hadn’t caught up with a lot of the shows that had been nominated for Tony Awards this year, but I still enjoyed the program overall. I find a lot of problems with the Tony’s, particularly the ones mentioned in this article. The award system goes the same almost every single year, there really incredible, new diverse stories always end up being robbed. I don’t know a lot about “Slave Play” but this isn’t the first time a majority-white show won over all the rest, it’s a clear pattern. But I do think it’s important that many recipients didn’t just use their speeches and platforms to further themselves, but instead talk about things that they cared about, like Black Lives Matter. I remember Britton Smith’s the best when he accepted the special Tony as it had so much energy and you could really tell that he was extremely passionate about what he was talking about.
The first thing I thought when I read this article title was When?! And Where?! I, along with a group of my close friends, watched the Tony Awards. Discussion of current events (other than Covid) and calls to action were something we actually noticeably felt the lack of, and talked about after. There was NO mention of the IATSE strike. Slave Play was the most nominated play in history and won NO awards. A few actors spoke upon issues of race and nonbinary representation, but I do not feel this Tony Awards should be praised for its supooseadly inclusivity. I actually think the opposite should be addressed. In general, I think Broadway actors fail to use their platform to address current issues, or anything they feel passionate about. I have noticed younger and upcoming performers and creatives doing this, which makes me very optimistic for the future. In general, I feel a lot of drive from our current youth, and am excited for us to start taking over positions of power that have the ability to enact change.
3 comments:
I am extremely surprised that the “Slave Play” did not take home any awards. I know there was a lot of controversy surrounding it but there is something to be said about the lack of diversity in the award winners this year. I am glad that this event was used as a platform to call for change in the industry. The more it is brought up, the closer we will be to a better and more equitable work environment throughout the entire industry. I hope that between the comments made on stage at the Tony’s and the ongoings with IATSE right now that the next year can bring forth new change in every part of the industry, onstage and off. I especially appreciated Warren’s comments that “the world has been screaming for us to change.” It’s true and hopefully those with more power will start to listen as the screaming gets louder.
I hadn’t caught up with a lot of the shows that had been nominated for Tony Awards this year, but I still enjoyed the program overall. I find a lot of problems with the Tony’s, particularly the ones mentioned in this article. The award system goes the same almost every single year, there really incredible, new diverse stories always end up being robbed. I don’t know a lot about “Slave Play” but this isn’t the first time a majority-white show won over all the rest, it’s a clear pattern. But I do think it’s important that many recipients didn’t just use their speeches and platforms to further themselves, but instead talk about things that they cared about, like Black Lives Matter. I remember Britton Smith’s the best when he accepted the special Tony as it had so much energy and you could really tell that he was extremely passionate about what he was talking about.
The first thing I thought when I read this article title was When?! And Where?! I, along with a group of my close friends, watched the Tony Awards. Discussion of current events (other than Covid) and calls to action were something we actually noticeably felt the lack of, and talked about after. There was NO mention of the IATSE strike. Slave Play was the most nominated play in history and won NO awards. A few actors spoke upon issues of race and nonbinary representation, but I do not feel this Tony Awards should be praised for its supooseadly inclusivity. I actually think the opposite should be addressed. In general, I think Broadway actors fail to use their platform to address current issues, or anything they feel passionate about. I have noticed younger and upcoming performers and creatives doing this, which makes me very optimistic for the future. In general, I feel a lot of drive from our current youth, and am excited for us to start taking over positions of power that have the ability to enact change.
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