We See You White American Theatre- Page 2

[unclevictor]

Posted: 5/3/21 at 4:48pm

Can we as a country just like, smoke a bowl together andtake a week off from hating each other?"

preach! I’m with u!

 

[fosterfan2]

Posted: 5/3/21 at 5:54pm

Sutton Ross said: "Both are classy, talented, in demand and did absolutely nothing wrong. People who come for them don't understand any of this and/or are 12 year old children who are bored with virtual school. Period."

Thank you for this. Many years ago,I went to a lecture by Elie Wiesel,the famous author and Holocaust survivor. He spoke about how he did NOT believe in collective guilt and did not hate all Germans despite his experiences. I am also Jewish and the grand-daughter of a woman who got out of Europe just in time,and I agree completely. There is NO sane reason to blame Kelli or Sutton for anything. They are superb performers who've done nothing wrong.

[Ms. Paradice]

Posted: 5/3/21 at 6:06pm

All Black, Indigenous, People of Color and other marginalized groups are asking for is that those in the theater community who are leading players use their platforms and assist with making the necessary changes to Bway/Theater community.
EVERYONE should feel comfortable and safe in the work place. If you can post about Lactid, a new knitting project, an announcement in regards to concert, and you state that you want to make sure that your rehearsal space is inclusive for everyone, than people are going to expect that you put action behind that. We stopped the Johnson and Johnson vaccine because a few (not most) had an adverse reaction, diversity is different but we should address similarly. An easy way to look at it, if I was having a dinner party, I would make sure that I had something that everyone could eat. I wouldn't only serve meat if I knew that vegans were present...I wouldn't only serve sweet and rich desserts if I knew diabetics were present and so on. Bway isn't as diverse as everyone keeps suggesting it is.

[Ms. Paradice]

Posted: 5/3/21 at 6:06pm

All Black, Indigenous, People of Color and other marginalized groups are asking for is that those in the theater community who are leading players use their platforms and assist with making the necessary changes to Bway/Theater community.
EVERYONE should feel comfortable and safe in the work place. If you can post about Lactid, a new knitting project, an announcement in regards to concert, and you state that you want to make sure that your rehearsal space is inclusive for everyone, than people are going to expect that you put action behind that. We stopped the Johnson and Johnson vaccine because a few (not most) had an adverse reaction, diversity is different but we should address similarly. An easy way to look at it, if I was having a dinner party, I would make sure that I had something that everyone could eat. I wouldn't only serve meat if I knew that vegans were present...I wouldn't only serve sweet and rich desserts if I knew diabetics were present and so on. Bway isn't as diverse as everyone keeps suggesting it is.

[Ms. Paradice]

Posted: 5/3/21 at 6:12pm

This probably doesn't answer your question but Bway isn't that diverse. Yes, there have been a few more shows in recent years where the cast is mostly BIPOC but that is not the cast behind the curtain. Many teams (Creative, Desingers, Casting, SM, CM, GM, Press, Crew, etc) have either one or NO BIPOC people on the team. It's important to have people of all backgrounds in these positions because it makes the art and community that much richer.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/3/21 at 6:25pm

My best friend is a POC stage manager and works consistently on Broadway, and has even gone as much to say that some of the job they got were BECAUSE they were POC. That's not really agreeing or disagreeing with you, but just stating my experience. 

But further to what you said, I think 99% would agree with all that you said, but what I'm having a hard time to understand is what ACTIONS need to take place? How does one force a safe space or an inclusive rehearsal room? How do we make that happen? Do you have to screen everyone or make them take a racial sensitivity test before rehearsals? I'm all for it, I just don't understand how we actually go about it. So to have people saying they won't sign contracts until it happens, what is the 'it' part? And what are examples of what has happened in the past? People are calling on members of Equity to call certain people out and have them resign but for what? I don't have any examples and no examples have been provided to me. 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 5/3/21 at 6:38pm

RippedMan,

I've been thinking about this even before the WSYWAT demands came out. Basically, the only way to have theatre be more equitable and diverse is to have a greater variety of demographics (read: more BIPOC) in leadership positions. For Broadway, this means directors and casting directors especially, and for non-profit regional theatre it means artistic directors, board members, etc. It's really that simple, in my opinion. This is why I find actors (i.e. Karen Olivo) taking it upon themselves to "take a stand" by quitting a show or people calling upon other actors, i.e. Sutton Foster to do the same to be ultimately kind of pointless. Actors, even stars, are at the bottom of the hierarchy of show business. The change has to come from higher up.

Updated On: 5/3/21 at 06:38 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/3/21 at 7:01pm

Okay, I can get behind that, but what do we do now? Just promote a bunch of people who may not be qualified? I mean, if I was Disney, per say, would I take some unknown regional director who happens to be a POC and entrust them with the Beauty and the Beast revival instead of, say, Alex Timbers who has a proven track record with big properties? I get what you're saying, and I'm all for it, but I actually really agree with Whoopi Goldberg when they were calling the Oscars so white. You have to do the work. If you want more representation, then be the representation. Why doesn't Karen O direct more. Use her platform and direct some stuff. Or promote some POC writers, etc. It just feels like a never ending argument to me. I'd love more queer representation and I'd love for more queer people to not have to only play queer people. But does that mean I need a queer person in EVERY SHOW EVER? No, not at all. 

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 5/3/21 at 7:52pm

I've always wondered on the casting side of things why we don't hear more addressed toward the casting directors. Why don't we have people calling out Telsey, Tara Rubin, etc. I know casting directors is put on the laundry list of items to change, but that seems to be one of the first things we notice about a show when this is discussed.

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/3/21 at 8:01pm

They are #1 in my book. The amount of times I've gotten terrible acting advice during a callback, but had to do anyway because I'm put on the stop. Or someone telling me they know I'm gay and therefore don't think the audience is going to believe me being straight, etc. They're the worst. They are so stuck in everything being a mold that there is no artistry anymore. They aren't looking for unique talent they're looking for everyone to look and sound the same. It's so aggravating. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 5/4/21 at 6:53am

"White supremacy" is such charged terminology and is language I imagine many associate with the KKK, Aryan Brotherhood, or other overtly racist groups that we would associate with visible hate crimes.

People are free to use whatever language expresses their sentiments, but I find it more productive in conversations to talk about reducing the systemic inequities and biases that consistently exclude or limit people of different backgrounds and demographics.

As for the question about creating safe spaces, a fair amount of research and writing on that subject exists in terms of DEI efforts in organizations and institutions.

One recurring theme/high impact practice is intentionally articulating a set of shared norms—that clearly specify individual and group rights and responsibilities AND accountability—and then aligning all actions with them and reviewing perceived alignment periodically. Easier said than done, of course.

In my own consulting work, I've shifted from talking about safe spaces to safe climates because a space is never permanently safe. Like climate it can change rapidly and requires everyone to respond to the changing conditions just as we would with the weather. And just as climate and weather vary across locales, so does perceived safety vary among individuals involved in any aspect of a production. Updated On: 5/4/21 at 06:53 AM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/4/21 at 4:19pm

I saw this topic and cannot say I am surprised. I remember when BLM was calling for cops to be shot. Audra and Stokes came out in support of them At that point I lost all respect for them. Lest I be called racist I went to any August Wilson show we could .I went to shows not based upon an actors skin color. Every thing in show business now is caught up in this. mania.

In the past only talent and experience counted.Now they do not matter.at all. How about we only have media supported by people of color . This racial animus has now affected Broadway. It we had intended to return after the pandemic we would not now .Sad that this has spread.Many tv shows outwardly pile on social.justice messages. We avoid them .Some are subtle and some hit you like a sledgehammer . Recently 2 medical dramas handled these situations. One was over the top and the other handled it with a balanced approach. . There is a reason I like retro tv. No.message but a story told to just entertain you.

I remember Gregory Hines. Immensely talented and taken far to soon. An all black cast except a few token roles for whites portrayed as buffoons. Jellys Last Jam was great but did not look at it than a racial show. Sadly many shows now will be manipulated that way .To bad Broadway will have to be,PC. Enjoy if you can

[unclevictor]

Posted: 5/4/21 at 4:51pm

Welcome back Mr.Roxy!

[unclevictor]

Posted: 5/4/21 at 4:51pm

Welcome back Mr.Roxy!

[joevitus]

Posted: 5/4/21 at 10:44pm

Mr Roxy said: "I remember when BLM was calling for cops to be shot."

I can't.

And your post reads like an insane rant. It is unsurprising who welcomes you back.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 5/4/21 at 10:46pm

Oh, Roxy. If you don’t care to return (which we thank you for), why bother posting? Please spare us your BS.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 5/4/21 at 11:11pm

Wait. He’s calling outside someone you’re against but you’re calling him out?! *grabs popcorn*

[unclevictor]

Posted: 5/4/21 at 11:55pm

SouthernCakes said: "Wait. He’s calling outside someone you’re against but you’re calling him out?! *grabs popcorn*"

Reread what he said and don’t choke on that popcorn

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 5/5/21 at 2:32am

I have always felt that, (and this has nothing to do with racial backgrounds) that in such a competitive field such as Broadway, for every one actor who leaves a roll there are about a dozen more who would gladly fill the spot. 

With that said, should an actor that is a POC walk away from a roll due to the feeling of inequality in theatre, I’m sure that there’s another who would gladly step in without an issue. Until that cycle is broken, I feel that change cannot occur. 

[Ms. Paradice]

Posted: 5/5/21 at 8:57am

Mr Roxy said: "I saw this topic and cannot say I am surprised. I remember when BLM was calling for cops to be shot. Audra and Stokes came out in support of them At that point I lost all respect for them. Lest I be called racist I went to any August Wilson show we could .I went to shows not based upon an actors skin color. Every thing in show business now is caught up in this. mania.

In the past only talent and experience counted.Now they do not matter.at all. How about we only have media supported by people of color . This racial animus has now affected Broadway. It we had intended to return after the pandemic we would not now .Sad that this has spread.Many tv shows outwardly pile on social.justice messages. We avoid them .Some are subtle and some hit you like a sledgehammer . Recently 2 medical dramas handled these situations. One was over the top and the other handled it with a balanced approach. . There is a reason I like retro tv. No.message but a story told to just entertain you.

I remember Gregory Hines. Immensely talented and taken far to soon. An all black cast except a few token roles for whites portrayed as buffoons. Jellys Last Jam was great but did not look at it than a racial show. Sadly many shows now will be manipulated that way .To bad Broadway will have to be,PC. Enjoy if you can "

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 Thanks for the laugh this morning 

[JayElle]

Posted: 5/15/21 at 6:58am

unclevictor said: "I wonder if she feels any pressure to quit music man?"

No.

Warren walked back that statement.