Broadway Casting Director Fired for Sexual Misconduct — Page 12

What I’m shocked about is that if there are people who have been victims of sexual assault, why don’t they come out with their stories themselves? Why do they need a NYT article? I’m not trying to cause speculation, but this is just an honest question.

Updated On: 12/5/17 at 09:29 PM

In response to people defending against "wanting the dirt"... it's human nature to be curious and want to know the scoop, especially about anything shocking or scandalous. I think it's interesting all the men called out so far for these terrible assaults are celebrities, and even the casting director referred to in this thread is in that showbiz realm. Will women (and men) still be taken more seriously when they speak up about being harassed working at restaurants, schools, hospitals, etc...?

If you are only thinking of the victims and refreshing the screen for that reason I think you are a better person than I. I think many of us were extremely curious if the buzz was true that famous directors would be exposed by this article, moreso than selflessly wanting justice for victims. As was the case with many posters in this thread expressing sadness for Huff's husband and child, I think we should remember too that these stories bring chaos and heartbreak to families- and that is not a reason for survivors to not come forward! But I think it's also not as simple a thing as like yay now everyone knows the truth! I hope I'm not coming off sanctimonious- I am guilty as anyone of wanting to know the scoop about everything, and I think the media is capitalizing on that urge in all of us right now.

Updated On: 12/4/17 at 10:37 PM

The Broadway League's offensive strike to try and deflect against it's own members being subjected to this scrutiny is laughable. Many of these producers are likely guilty of this behavior and much more, so their glass house is standing on sand. Abusvie behavior on all levels is clearly a part of the their broadway history either in lore or fact - they better clean their own doorstep before trying to clean others. They knew the practices of these casting directors, and if investigated thoroughly, are like to be complicti at the very least.

Get ready producers and lawyer up yourselves.

It's disturbing that all of the coverage is limited to ONLY men with a recognizable media persona - as if these situations aren't occurring outside of the Arts or Political arenas.

If the NYT wants to report on, and effect social justice, they will exclude any media personalities from their coverage, and focus only on examples where this is happening to 'everyday' women and men. If not, they're just practicing tabloid journalism.

In the higher profile world of the Arts and Politics, the news is writing itself. When a personality like Matt Lauer (etc.) gets fired, reporting the story is almost redundant - we already know. The people (men AND women) who are NOT in the public eye, yet are abusing the privileges of their positions, or are victims in the same way as these more public figures, require the most attention from the news media.

Those victims cannot and will not be seen/heard without the assistance of the media.

Call_me_jorge said: "What I’m shocked about is that if there are people who have been victims of sexual assault, why don’t they come out with their stories themselves? Why do they need a NYT article? I’m trying to cause speculation, but this is just an honest question."

What is wrong with you?

Call_me_jorge said: "elephantseye said: "Call_me_jorge said: "What I’m shocked about is that if there are people who have been victims of sexual assault, why don’t they come out with their stories themselves? Why do they need a NYT article? I’m not trying to cause speculation, but this is just an honest question."

A variety of reasons. A publication like the NYT with a solid reputation publishing a story lends it credibility-- there's people working on the story who have literally been paid to fact check. This is important for any news story, but especially one of this nature where the victim is likely to face scrutiny and be disbelieved/harassed for speaking up. The NYT also has a wide readership, making any allegations more likely to get broader media attention and thus, most likely, more pressure on the accused to step down from positions/be fired. Often, articles like these highlight multiple stories, making accusers feel less alone. And, having the story published in a publication like the NYT is likely to make others feel like they have a platform to come forward, too."

Anthony rapp didn’t get his story released in a NYT expose, and as a result Kevin Spaceys career is over. I think victims just putting out a memo through their twitters or Instagrams would do enough justice. Especially in this day and ageof stans.I mean, I understand the positives of putting out a story in the NYT, but I don’t think it should be the ONLY option."

No, Anthony Rapp's story wasn't released by the NYT, but it was released by Buzzfeed in a thoroughly researched and fact-checked article. It doesn't have to be the NYT specifically, what I'm talking about is an article or expose published by a reputable journalistic source. After he came forward, several others with similar stories who felt emboldened by hearing Rapp's did as well. Which was exactly my point-- when Rapp came forward, others felt more comfortable to as well, and they did so through a journalistic (as opposed to social media) avenue.

Go look at any comment thread on any article/tweet/facebook post about Spacey, and you'll see truly horrifying comments. Many people do not believe Rapp, have vilified him, and have shamed him, and that's with Rapp's standing as a reasonably(ish) well-known actor currently starring in a Star Trek show. Think about if he, or one of Spacey's other victims, had just tweeted about their experiences. No one would take them seriously, if those tweets were even seen at all. In a situation like theirs, and like the one this thread is discussing, a social media post is not enough.

HogansHero said: "The only way we get universal remedial action [ ] is to get the subject exposed at the top."

I definitely see your point in that attention is paid when the perpetrators are publicly known, but I don't agree with the word "only".

Given the large number of men and women who have experienced this type of behavior in the workplace, I do think that news coverage of the issue can, and should be more inclusive. If not, an illusion is created that social justice only applies to situations where the perpetrators are wealthy, or famous and that when the offenses occur outside of those more visible realms, they're not 'important enough'.

I feel that are also top levels that exist outside of the Arts or Politics (and why should "top" be synonymous with "famous"?), and that it is not too soon to include those examples in the media coverage as well.

To restrict the coverage only to those who have higher media profiles, in only two arenas, implies a false understanding of the issue. Maybe (?) there is a "too big to fail" mentality that is preventing reports of instances from the worlds of business and finance?

To be honest, I'm not sure that summarily firing people in these situations is really the best solution. If it's "right" for some (like those in Politics, or the Arts), shouldn't it be "right" for all? What would the consequences be if this were applied in the world of Finance? How would our economy fare if men in the world of business and finance were summarily fired at the same rate as those in Politics or the Arts? Certainly, the current President is being given a pass on this.

So troubling...

sit down, John. j/k

I think we are more or less in agreement. The question that remains is, will there be a sea change, or is this just a media hype story? I do think that the timing of all this is partly a reaction to the president's demonstrated misbehavior that has gone unpunished in any way. Perhaps if this is a groundswell it will box him in. Or not. (Pessimistic optimism)

Call_me_jorge said: "Anthony rapp didn’t get his story released in a NYT expose, and as a result Kevin Spaceys career is over. I think victims just putting out a memo through their twitters or Instagrams would do enough justice. Especially in this day and ageof stans.I mean, I understand the positives of putting out a story in the NYT, but I don’t think it should be the ONLY option."


It is not the only option, jorge. Who exactly here is saying it is? They can share it wherever and however they want. They chose to not do that for various reasons - reasons they're allowed to have (and you cannot deny them that). Apart from what elephantseye already said really well above about having the security of a news organization vetting and presenting your story in a credible way, it takes a genuine courage to come forward with a sexual assault allegation against these powerful figures. Let them do it the way they deem fit and stop telling people how to talk about their own lives.

Call_me_jorge said: "Anthony rapp didn’t get his story released in a NYT expose, and as a result Kevin Spaceys career is over."

He did go through a journalist who contacted multiple sources to confirm/vet things before publication.

John Adams said: "To be honest, I'm not sure that summarily firing people in these situations is really the best solution. If it's "right" for some (like those in Politics, or the Arts), shouldn't it be "right" for all? What would the consequences be if this were applied in the world of Finance? How would our economy fare if men in the world of business and finance were summarily fired at the same rate as those in Politics or the Arts? Certainly, the current President is being given a pass on this."

Yes, it should right "right" for all industries. We have sexual harassment laws. People can be replaced in jobs. And really? The "rate" at which people are being fired in politics or the arts is a pretty tiny portion of the overall numbers in these industries. Sure, the firings are loud, but they're not exactly getting rid of swathes of people here that are so numerous as to gut their entire businesses or industries.