Award Winning Playwright Almost Slaps a Theatre Patron (and what that apparently says about our theatre) — Page 4

There was a lot of projection in that article. As soon a she described herself as an award winning playwright she set herself up as a theatre elitist. Not only once but a few times. That attitude makes me wonder the tone and timbre of her exchange with "Jane". Does an Award Winning Playwright have special privilage in a theatre? Personally I could give a rats ass what she does in church on Sunday. If she sat next to me and whooped it up during a show, I would definitely say something. I don't care what color she is. It is NOT being racist, it is just expecting some sort of consideration from fellow audience members.

Updated On: 12/12/15 at 10:39 PM

Exactly SNAFU, but it's a waste of time trying to make that point here, as it falls on deaf ears which belong to those posters who cry racism all the time.

I don't know about this entire story. Is the "playwright" auditioning a new play by writing this? She's in town for one day. She has no money. She claims her "award" winning check hadn't cleared yet. Is she in such financial straits that she depends on that check? She and friends go see a play on the spur of the moment. She can't afford any ticket. I guess her credit card would be rejected? Is she the only one in her g group who can't afford a ticket? Her friends can't cover this award winning playwright for this show? An usher goes in to see what she can do and comes out with free tickets?

I don't know. Sounds fishy to me, maybe this person has an agenda. But I guess that makes me a racist!

I'm going to hang around Hamilton until some old white lady gives me a free ticket.

You wake up, even if she hadn't given her the ticket, she is still within her rights to ask someone sitting her to STFU if she finds it distracting! Yes, people were loud in Skakespeare's time. but guess what Kiddo, look around. We aren't in Shakespeares time are we? It is NOT racism or white surpremacy. It is common courtesy. Do NOT sit next to me and hoot and holler and engage the actors whether you are Black, White, Brown, Red or fcuking plaid! I paided for my seat and expect the ability to enjoy the work onstage, not your vocalizations!

Updated On: 12/12/15 at 02:32 PM

I told a person to stop talking on their cell phone during a movie once. They were black.

I guess I failed to realize that talking on a cell phone is the way black people engage and enjoy the movies, and by asking them to be quiet I was really exhibiting micro-aggression.

Meanwhile, I also asked the white person 2 rows up to please stop talking on their cell phone.

So now I'm just confused if we're talking about racism or common courtesy.

#nonissuebecomesmajorissue

"I don't know about this entire story. Is the "playwright" auditioning a new play by writing this?"

I'm cringing at the thought. That play would be awful. At least, it would be awful if she wrote it from the perspective of this article. It could be tolerable if she actually engaged with the issues that have been discussed where personal biases and hangups sometimes make it difficult to see a situation clearly and have empathy for others.

I wouldn't go that far. She's not racist, just a perpetual victim.

I would really like to know more about the context. I'm reminded of my experience at FELA where at one point in the show, audience members were asked to stand and dance. Some did, some didn't, but standing and/or dancing was clearly acceptable audience behavior at that time for that show. Is it possible that Ms. Morriseau was responding in an acceptable way at that time at that particular show? I'm not certain that criticism after engaging in invited audience behavior would justify "slapping someone," but it might explain a bit of her outrage.

From my read, Morriseau writes as if she "should" have been responding a certain way given the play. But because she doesn't explicitly name the play, it is unclear to the reader whether that is in fact the case. I am unfamiliar with The Christians, but are there moments in that play where audience participation is in fact encouraged?

DivaProf said: "From my read, Morriseau writes as if she "should" have been responding a certain way given the play. But because she doesn't explicitly name the play, it is unclear to the reader whether that is in fact the case. I am unfamiliar with The Christians, but are there moments in that play where audience participation is in fact encouraged?

This is a perfect example of audiences engaging with a piece of theatre in dramatically different fashions. When you see a gospel choir onstage, clapping along to church, you (DivaProf) might simply accept this is a moment of the play and remain silent in your seat, very intrigued, erect in your chair, and very attentive. Another member, such as Ms. Morisseau, may see the same exact moment and engage by clapping her hands and shaking along with the chorus. Why should that be unacceptable? Each and every person will respond to material in a different way and every theater should allow for those reactions. Why is this such a difficult concept to accept?

Tazber said: "I told a person to stop talking on their cell phone during a movie once. They were black.

I guess I failed to realize that talking on a cell phone is the way black people engage and enjoy the movies, and by asking them to be quiet I was really exhibiting micro-aggression.

Meanwhile, I also asked the white person 2 rows up to please stop talking on their cell phone.

So now I'm just confused if we're talking about racism or common courtesy".

@Tazber: No. It simply means you're failing to see the difference between the two instances. Allow me to break them down for you.

• The instance you recount is one of a clearly disengaged moviegoer.
  • Exhibit A: the person is on their cell phone, discussing matters not relevant to the movie, clearly uninterested with the action of the movie.

• The instance we're discussing in this thread is Dominique Morisseau's direct response (AKA: gut reaction, feeling, reply).
  • Exhibit A: Ms. Morisseau realizes a moment she is familiar with and engages as she deems appropriate. No one can discount what another may genuinely feel as an appropriate moment to themselves.

Jane2 said: "This person who wrote it wants to sound like such a victim, while she's the racist one."

@Jane2: You do realize the society we live in is in favor of any and all white people? Anyone that is non-white cannot be racist. I would consider you read The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. If you do not understand what I'm talking about, you are part of the problem. Guess who are the only ones that have managed to segregate entire races from one another? I'll give you a hint: white people.

SNAFU said: "Do NOT sit next to me and hoot and holler and engage the actors whether you are Black, White, Brown, Red or fcuking plaid! I paided for my seat and expect the ability to enjoy the work onstage, not your vocalizations!"

@SNAFU: You make no point to argue with unfortunately. You blatantly state that you have no interest in how another patron may respond to a play. By engaging in this behavior, you continue to perpetuate this toxic rhetoric of which I speak. The person sitting next to you probably paid for their seat as well. Shouldn't they be allowed to 'enjoy the work onstage' in the manner they deem appropriate? Ms. Morisseau is obviously an anomaly in this instance as she is an artist and was given complimentary tickets. Regardless of the price of the tickets, she should be allowed to enjoy the play however she wants.

SIDE NOTE: Do we all understand what defines someone as racist? Yes, a racist can appear as a brooding, hateful, angry person with the agenda of relegating non-white people to the bottom of the social caste system that we have forged. But racism can take on more subtle forms as well. A very well-meaning, seemingly 'nice' person, can be racist too. Racism is institutional and systemic(as exhibited in most theaters today, more specifically with Playwrights Horizons, as noted in this opinion article). I believe Ms. Morisseau because I constantly witness what she has recounted in her article. Countless new theatergoers, people of color, and those who have not been taught to experience theater in certain way have been shushed, forced to leave, reprimanded, and even shamed in front of my eyes too many times to count. It breaks my heart that we lose an extraordinary amount of patrons because of institutional racism.

@MisterMatt: You sound especially hostile regarding this issue. The language of your response suggests some blatant examples of covert racism. I advise you look it up if you don't understand what I mean. Making sweeping generalizations? I'm not so sure about that. I suspect you're probably white, or have significant privilege in your life, otherwise you should be very willing to accept the way another audience member, of a different race--and sure, let's list some colors to appease your senses; black, indian, filipino, mexican, puerto rican, etc--may react to play. If a patron is engaged with the play, regardless of the manner in which they are engaged, why shouldn't they be allowed to carry on? Again: CELL PHONE CONERVSATIONS = DISENGAGED, CLAPPING AND VOCALLY RESPONDING TO A MOMENT IN THE PLAY = ENGAGED. Do we understand the difference yet?

Updated On: 12/13/15 at 02:22 AM

haterobics said: "DivaProf said: "I am unfamiliar with The Christians, but are there moments in that play where audience participation is in fact encouraged?"

The whole set is the altar of a church, so during the sermons, they are breaking the fourth wall and preaching to the audience as the congregation, and there is also a 20(?) member gospel choir that sings, where people might slap and such. That's about it. Like, when I attended, a few people were getting into the congregation bit and shouting Amen, etc. There is no actual engagement like they are asking you questions or telling the audience members to do anything, as far as I recall...

"

Thank you, hate. Frankly, that sounds like a play where I would expect audience participation (standing and clapping) during the gospel numbers and I seriously doubt individuals could be disturbing their neighbors over a gospel choir with a modern sound system. i also might very well choose not to jump and clap myself, since I wasn't raised in such a church and I'm not entirely sure of the conventions. And, yeah, that might result in my sight-line being blocked now and then, but I would expect to be patient in that regard.

JUST as I was patient on Wednesday night at a Barry Manilow benefit (the tix were a gift and I did a friend a favor by filling the resulting empty seats); Mr. M is a smart songwriter but I don't think it's necessary to stand after every song he wrote OR to bitch at the Fanilows who do. I ended up watching a lot of the show on the video cameras of the patrons in front of me. Worked fine. We white folks have inexplicable urges to stand, scream and clap, too.

Updated On: 12/13/15 at 09:36 AM

Countless new theatergoers, people of color, and those who have not been taught to experience theater in certain way have been shushed, forced to leave, reprimanded, and even shamed in front of my eyes too many times to count.

Seriously? You've seen people shamed and forced to leave "too many times to count"?

I don't think I've ever seen it.