Award Winning Playwright Almost Slaps a Theatre Patron (and what that apparently says about our theatre) — Page 5

This thread doubles as an interactive production of Oleanna.

CELL PHONE CONERVSATIONS = DISENGAGED, CLAPPING AND VOCALLY RESPONDING TO A MOMENT IN THE PLAY = ENGAGED. Do we understand the difference yet?

I don't see the difference at all. Because you fail to mention the fact they are both disruptive to everyone else in the audience.

Do you understand the similarity yet?

As Gaveston posted on page 1, there is a type of theater that encourages call and response, and plays written for that style of theater are written to include audience participation. It's ingrained in the script and direction. And in that setting it's obviously fine.

But generally speaking Broadway and Off-Broadway theater is not that style of theater.

Also, I'm not sure what the endgame of the author's issue would be. Is she saying that it should always be acceptable for people of color to react in a call and response manner just because that's how they enjoy theater?

The implications of that seem way more racist to me.

Updated On: 12/13/15 at 01:27 PM

"Anyone that is non-white cannot be racist."

Well, that's just ridiculous. Did we learn nothing from Avenue Q?

No, there's no issues with race in the theater community, what makes you say that?

It's arguable whether or not her reaction is an overreaction but it's hardly hysteria to point out that black people are, indeed, subject to relentless judgement in small (and large) ways that white people aren't, and that the accumulative impact of these experiences can be enormously stressful.

Diva Prof said "Assumed income level because she didn't have her own ticket? "

NO. NO ASSUMPTION was made. A question was asked. My comments, if you are referring to me, come from not believing the whole story. She may have been the richest person on the planet. So why didn't she use a credit card? Why did she comment she didn't have the money because she hadn't received her "award winning" check? Oh, come on.

And, speaking for myself, is gum chewing assumed to be a black "thing?" You mean she mentioned gum chewing as a racist comment? I never heard that before. Most people I've seen chewing gum are white. You sound racist in assuming they are black.

I'm questioning why the woman in Ms. Morisseau's story assumed that Ms. Morisseau would pop her gum. I'm not only including race as a potential explanation for the popping gum statement--also Ms. Morisseau's age and possibly assumed income level. I'm not certain what you think I'm saying about you, Jane2. I'm simply saying that I don't know whether the woman seated next to Ms. Morisseau was racist or not, only that her comment about popping gum to someone who wasn't even chewing gum didn't seem to come from a nice place. It could have been racist or ageist or classist or just pure bad manners, but again, I'm referring to the other patron, not you, Jane2.

Also, I absolutely don't believe that African-Americans are disproportionate gum chewers or gum poppers for that matter.

If I were in Morisseau's shows I would have taken the gum comment as joke too, albeit a weird one. Morisseau makes far too many assumptions about "Jane's" motivation for the comment. I have a feeling "Jane" would have said it to anyone she would have handed the tickets to, regardless of race, age or any other factor. I think she was just saying don't punish me for my good deed by being an obnoxious seat partner. Wouldn't anyone hope that of a stranger they had just given their tickets to?

If Morisseau did think it was racially motivated and was so offended by the comment she should have walked back up to "Jane" with the tickets and said thanks, but no thanks.

Because we've been summarily told that if we suspect the story was anything other than objective fact, then we are white privileged racists. As a result, we were instructed in the custom-tailored definition of racism and that only one opinion is valid.

Updated On: 12/13/15 at 04:39 PM

Look, I absolutely get it. There are appropriate moments to respond to a play and completely inappropriate moments. But we need to come to terms that different people will respond to moments they recognize. And as long it does not break the concentration of the performers, it should not be a problem.

And, yes. I have witnessed countless people of color and new theatergoers being shamed because behavior that was not consistent with other members of the audience. I myself am a theater professional and constantly see this behavior and actively work to dismantle wherever possible. My aim is to make all people feel welcome to the theater. Not just the old white ladies that make donations to the theater. If we constantly rely on that audience base, we will not have anyone buying tickets in 10-20 years.

Defintion of disengaged (according to Merriam-Webster): "to stop being involved with a person or group : to stop taking part in something".

Ex: Ms. Morisseau recognized a moment, acted in a way as a response to the material. Again, you (other posters and general audience) may not recognize this as a moment to engage with. I am not implying this is an immersive theater experience by any means. She was not jumping on the stage, popping gum, standing up and shouting, talking on her cell phone. She specifically mentions being very interested and intrigued with the material.

Definition of engaged (also according to Merriam-Webster): "to induce to participate".

Again, Ms. Morisseau indicated a brief moment in the play where she clapped along. She did not say she clapped along the entire play and continue to talk. She also mentioned she laughed at moments she thought were funny that perhaps others did not. So what? I too detest patrons that decide to talk about what's for dinner or where they will be drinking after the show. I think we can all agree that patrons that disengage in this manner are exhibiting inappropriate behavior for the theater or otherwise.

@MisterMatt and Jane2: Do you know who created the social construct of race? The very people that decided to deliberately parse out each race from one another with unique and often demeaning qualities? Any idea at all? White men. Therefore, any non-white person cannot be racist. It is not a custom tailored definition. It is history and fact. I do not care to console your white fragility.

http://libjournal.uncg.edu/ijcp/article/view/249

@Jane2 specifically: Oh, darling. 'You people'? No need to beat around the bush. Use the pejoratives you have been withholding this entire time. You amuse me greatly. It sounds like someone (or many people) have called you out on this behavior before.

Do you know how many times on this board that posters have referred to moments with a black audience as "CP time"? Or otherwise known as "Color Purple" time? So, yes. I am uncomfortable with accepting racist behavior on this board. If you allow me the time, I can continue to find innumerable examples of this behavior. I have no problem doing a little research unlike you.

I'll also have all of you consider another variable. Black and non-white Americans have been at the mercy of a white culture their entire lives; each and every time they are told how they should behave. If you have been subject to this your entire life, don't you think you would be as frustrated as Ms. Morisseau? Any time a person of color is given a platform, they are immediately shut down and told their story does not matter. I do not care to hear of the one or two examples where this was not the case. By and large, this is usually the case.

I acknowledge the fact that the title of her article with the use of "Award-Winning Playwright" was a little heavy-handed, but her point is completely valid,

Updated On: 12/13/15 at 07:20 PM

So only white people can be considered racist. LMFAO! Have you ever seen how Black Patrons are treated in some Korean markets? Oh, I guess that isn't racism, just passing mistrust of a person due to the color of their skin.

@SNAFU: Yes. That is correct. The behavior you describe is prejudice, NOT racism.

I know it's difficult to realize the truth sometimes. No sweat.