I saw a HS production when we were at SETC a few years ago--possibly the same one Ken referenced.
I'm all for ambitious theatre at the high school level. I think kids are capable and willing to throw themselves into the deep end, and in many cases, they are hungering for challenging material that will allow them to explore complex emotional and intellectual landscapes. But I also believe that it's our job as adults/teachers/mentors to be extremely careful about what we are asking these very willing kids to do.
I think the mechanics can be solved more easily than other concerns. This play calls for the lead female actor, as a function of the plot, to bare her breasts to the lead male character. As written, it's a moment that is about trust and intimacy and empathy and love. I imagine that you and your students have discussed the nuances and layers of meaning when you studied the play, and that it's part of the reason why the kids love it. But on a very real level, should you do this play, you are going to be selecting a young woman to tell the story of baring her breasts. When it comes down to it, that kid has to emotionally live out the moment of baring her breasts to another human, and she's got to allow herself to be seen while doing it by 100+ people. Even if she's behind a screen, she's doing the emotional work, and that's a huge ask. As teachers, we've all had discussions with girls who were pressured into sending topless photos of themselves to boys, and even though it's not analogous to the content of the scene, it's the frame of reference some kids in the cast and audience will approach it with. Right or wrong, it sends up a flag for me.
I like to ask questions when I'm considering a project, and these are a few that I would need to examine for myself before moving forward: Will this scene dissuade girls from trying out? Are there enough other interesting and challenging roles in the play for girls--or is the price of getting a meaty role implying a willingness to mime nudity? Is it the right move for my company to build a production largely around the student playing Merrick? Will my female students worry or decide (without ever mentioning these fears out loud) that only a certain body type need apply for Kendal? Are my male and female students of color dealing with additional layers of complexity in terms of how their bodies are viewed, and will that affect their interest in trying out for Merrick or Kendal? Am I comfortable talking teenagers through the implied nudity scene? Are my actors' parents comfortable with me having these discussions with their minor children? Since I won't know what sort of history all my students have with sexual activity, sexting, or sexual abuse, what systems will I need to keep them safe and avoid exploitation? Beyond this one scene--What sort of issues arise for me and my kids around having a presumably able-bodied actor play a character with physical challenges? How does my personal understanding of and experience with the exploitation of different bodies blind me or motivate me in directing this work?
The great thing about theatre is that no two directors' answers to those questions--and the thousands more that arise--will be the same. My reasons for not choosing this play are bound up in my understanding of how I need to balance my ambitions as a director and educator with the fact that my actors are adolescents. I also have clear biases around what young girls are asked to do on stage arising from my gender and experience as an actor in high school and beyond, so take this reply with a grain of salt.
You know your community, your kids, and your goals for your program best. Be really thorough in investigating why this play at this moment in time with this group of kids, and you will come up with an answer that works for your company of students and community audience.
Best of luck!
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Meg O'Connor
oconnormainstage.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-10-2018 03:40
From: John Monteverde
Subject: The Elephant Man
This is an odd choice but my advanced students have done some scenes from this play and for some reason have become obsessed with it. Is this something anyone has every done at a High School? I suspect the climactic scene where Mrs. Kendall reveals her breasts to Merrick (even if her revealing herself is only suggested, actresses back to the audience, full body stocking, etc.) would make this a complete no-go for nearly all educational theater but I can't argue it's a beautiful play. Well written. Interesting historical piece. Great characters. And topical in it's message.
What do you think? We are pretty progressive but again, has this ever been attempted at a High School level?