Role Distribution, Show Selection and Audition Pools

[lillibet]

This subject came up tonight at Steering Committee and there just wasn't time to explore it past the immediate issue at hand, but it seemed like there was more discussion to be had and perhaps more voices to be solicited, so I thought I'd go ahead and post about it. You don't have to be part of Theatre@First to have an opinion. I'm going to start with a poll, so I can get an overview, but I do encourage you to comment, because I realize this may have a lot of nuances and complexity for many people that won't be captured in my options.

[Poll #1498617]

Comments

[redheadedmuse.livejournal.com]

In general I'd support the idea of doing a women-only show, and would generally oppose the idea of doing a men-only show. I could be sold on either based on the quality of the script/idea.

Here's my thinking: sexism is a real thing in the world, and it affects both men and women, but it affects them in different ways. Women historically, and generally today, have fewer opportunities to shine onstage than their male counterparts. A women-only show would help to highlight women's talents, as well as making a space for discussion about gender issues.

A male-only show would be close enough to business as usual in modern American entertainment that it would likely go unremarked except by those of us who constantly remark on these things, and would only provoke discussion about gender and power if it very conciously worked to do so. Additionally, men get many opportunities to perform onstage and to see dynamics between male characters highlighted in plays, movies and TV.