#1
Posted: 2/18/09 at 5:35pm
A high school in Newport Beach, Calif., has become the latest to cancel a student production of RENT, though the reasons for its cancellation remain murky. Ronald K. Martin, the school’s drama instructor, said the production was canceled by the principal, Fal Asrani, who objected to its gay characters.
NEW YORK TIMES:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/arts/18arts-NOTEENAGEREN_BRF.html
PLAYBILL:
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/126418.html
* * * *
If you feel passionately about the school's decision to cancel RENT, especially for the alleged reason in doing so, feel free to copy/paste this open-letter I composed to Principal Asrani of Corona del Mar High School
* * * *
TO - fasrani @ nmusd.us
CC - rmartin @ nmusd.us
SUBJECT - Please Read: The Effects of Canceling RENT
Dear Principal Asrani
It is with disappointment that I contact you. Upon reading the New York Times article, I have become aware of your poor choice in canceling Corona del Mar's production of the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning musical RENT.
The alleged basis for its termination is both appalling and intolerable.
To restrict your student's the opportunity of performing this important piece of American theatre on the grounds of the sexuality of some of its characters sends an devastating message to your students, and perpetuates a deeply-seeded misunderstanding of gays and lesbians in our modern society.
Had you taken the opportunity to read the script in its entirety, or perhaps even attend a production of RENT, you would learn that the musical provides deep and unique insight into many aspects of life. Its overall theme is about embracing the day, learning to love, and appreciating your friends and family. Indeed, some characters juggle with real-life difficulties including drug-abuse, HIV and straight and gay-relationships... but these are real things. Things you cannot hide from inquiring young high-school minds.
Often, the Performing Arts provides perfect allegories to real life, and can be a vehicle for discussing difficult subjects.
More than ever, educators should be preaching tolerance and love of all people. We live in a country awash in hate, with children learning too-early that it is "okay" to treat someone unfairly because they are different. It is the responsibility of teachers and loved-ones to instill the values and ethics of fairness and tolerance of all people.
The fire of hate can be sparked with the slightest of actions. Unfortunately for the students of Corona del Mar, they have been taught that material (literature, fine art, or performance) about or portraying gays and lesbians is "unacceptable." This is NOT a life lesson.
While some parents may not be prepared or open to discussing sex, drugs and adult-life, the musical RENT provides a window for some students to comfortably learn about these subjects in the safety of an academic environment. RENT focuses on issues these children are bound to learn on their own; if not through the assistance of peers, but from guardians or their parents.
I know your High School aims to focus on aspects of your students' development, especially on communication and college readiness. Banning a school production on the basis of adult-themes is hardly a step in the right direction for positive communication or college readiness.
But there is an issue far more important than the cancelation of RENT, and this is the cancelation of your students' passion.
High school is a terribly transformative period for teenagers, and finding a passion they can attach themselves is imparative to their forming self-worth in the world. Finding a niche to explore, compete, drive and harvest creative energy (such as the dramatic arts) is healthy and necessary for students. Your action to cancel their musical doused that passion... may we both hope they can heal and move-on, able to find some other means of keeping their passion burning.
Principal Asrani, I am not asking you to remount their production of RENT. I only ask that you provide a public apology to your students in the drama department, for canceling their show.
And I ask you make deep efforts to remind your educators that tolerance and love of all people is the greatest lesson you can teach any child.
Respectfully,
YOUR NAME
NEW YORK TIMES:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/arts/18arts-NOTEENAGEREN_BRF.html
PLAYBILL:
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/126418.html
* * * *
If you feel passionately about the school's decision to cancel RENT, especially for the alleged reason in doing so, feel free to copy/paste this open-letter I composed to Principal Asrani of Corona del Mar High School
* * * *
TO - fasrani @ nmusd.us
CC - rmartin @ nmusd.us
SUBJECT - Please Read: The Effects of Canceling RENT
Dear Principal Asrani
It is with disappointment that I contact you. Upon reading the New York Times article, I have become aware of your poor choice in canceling Corona del Mar's production of the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning musical RENT.
The alleged basis for its termination is both appalling and intolerable.
To restrict your student's the opportunity of performing this important piece of American theatre on the grounds of the sexuality of some of its characters sends an devastating message to your students, and perpetuates a deeply-seeded misunderstanding of gays and lesbians in our modern society.
Had you taken the opportunity to read the script in its entirety, or perhaps even attend a production of RENT, you would learn that the musical provides deep and unique insight into many aspects of life. Its overall theme is about embracing the day, learning to love, and appreciating your friends and family. Indeed, some characters juggle with real-life difficulties including drug-abuse, HIV and straight and gay-relationships... but these are real things. Things you cannot hide from inquiring young high-school minds.
Often, the Performing Arts provides perfect allegories to real life, and can be a vehicle for discussing difficult subjects.
More than ever, educators should be preaching tolerance and love of all people. We live in a country awash in hate, with children learning too-early that it is "okay" to treat someone unfairly because they are different. It is the responsibility of teachers and loved-ones to instill the values and ethics of fairness and tolerance of all people.
The fire of hate can be sparked with the slightest of actions. Unfortunately for the students of Corona del Mar, they have been taught that material (literature, fine art, or performance) about or portraying gays and lesbians is "unacceptable." This is NOT a life lesson.
While some parents may not be prepared or open to discussing sex, drugs and adult-life, the musical RENT provides a window for some students to comfortably learn about these subjects in the safety of an academic environment. RENT focuses on issues these children are bound to learn on their own; if not through the assistance of peers, but from guardians or their parents.
I know your High School aims to focus on aspects of your students' development, especially on communication and college readiness. Banning a school production on the basis of adult-themes is hardly a step in the right direction for positive communication or college readiness.
But there is an issue far more important than the cancelation of RENT, and this is the cancelation of your students' passion.
High school is a terribly transformative period for teenagers, and finding a passion they can attach themselves is imparative to their forming self-worth in the world. Finding a niche to explore, compete, drive and harvest creative energy (such as the dramatic arts) is healthy and necessary for students. Your action to cancel their musical doused that passion... may we both hope they can heal and move-on, able to find some other means of keeping their passion burning.
Principal Asrani, I am not asking you to remount their production of RENT. I only ask that you provide a public apology to your students in the drama department, for canceling their show.
And I ask you make deep efforts to remind your educators that tolerance and love of all people is the greatest lesson you can teach any child.
Respectfully,
YOUR NAME
Updated On: 2/19/09 at 05:35 PM
