#1
Posted: 4/21/08 at 7:10pm
I've read all of the articles when they were printed about how colleges and public schools would censor or shut down theatre productions due to subject matter, language, mature situations, nudity, etc. I now find myself on the verge of the same issue.
I have submitted to direct Bert V. Royal's DOG SEES GOD which our Theatre Department Chair has read and thoroughly fell in love with it. We had a meeting today to discuss the possibility of doing the production next season as my senior thesis.
Essentially, he is very cautious about doing the production. We are very strict about following copyright laws, so he said that we need to do two things: 1) Altar the script very specifically about what needs to change in order to make it producable, and then get approval of those changes from Dramatists Play Service, inc. who licenses the show; or 2) Continue to pursue doing the show unchanged or not do the show at all.
I have looked at what we would change to make it 'PG-13' and not 'R.' I would cut the part of the line that says "cum on your tits" and again where it's mentioned just a few lines later. I would also have to replace the word "p^ssy" with a less vulgar word. There are dozens of F-bombs and other curse words which would NOT be changed. Words like "cocksucker" or other sexual words would be altared or deleted.
Basically, our Chair says that he has no problem with the curse words or the homosexual themes, just the sentences and words that are sexual.
Our Chair is worried about the reactions of parents and college administration/staff and offending them as such.
I would greatly appreciate advice from those on this board.
1) How should I go about negiotiating with our Theatre Chair in doing the play unchanged?
2) Would it be harmful to altar the play in those 2-3 instances? (I already have my opinion but I want to know what you think.) Would Dramatists/the playwright give permission for such changes?
Thanks you so much!
I have submitted to direct Bert V. Royal's DOG SEES GOD which our Theatre Department Chair has read and thoroughly fell in love with it. We had a meeting today to discuss the possibility of doing the production next season as my senior thesis.
Essentially, he is very cautious about doing the production. We are very strict about following copyright laws, so he said that we need to do two things: 1) Altar the script very specifically about what needs to change in order to make it producable, and then get approval of those changes from Dramatists Play Service, inc. who licenses the show; or 2) Continue to pursue doing the show unchanged or not do the show at all.
I have looked at what we would change to make it 'PG-13' and not 'R.' I would cut the part of the line that says "cum on your tits" and again where it's mentioned just a few lines later. I would also have to replace the word "p^ssy" with a less vulgar word. There are dozens of F-bombs and other curse words which would NOT be changed. Words like "cocksucker" or other sexual words would be altared or deleted.
Basically, our Chair says that he has no problem with the curse words or the homosexual themes, just the sentences and words that are sexual.
Our Chair is worried about the reactions of parents and college administration/staff and offending them as such.
I would greatly appreciate advice from those on this board.
1) How should I go about negiotiating with our Theatre Chair in doing the play unchanged?
2) Would it be harmful to altar the play in those 2-3 instances? (I already have my opinion but I want to know what you think.) Would Dramatists/the playwright give permission for such changes?
Thanks you so much!
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
Updated On: 4/21/08 at 07:10 PM
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