Hello,
I may be way off in left field for this one, but I tell my students that for classroom projects, the gender doesn't matter. My classes are so skewed one way or another that trying to get students to work with other people as well as keep gender roles in tact is just not feasible for my classes. I do require that students pay attention to their physical characterization and sit, stand, and move like their characters would (and gender is one thing that influences that- as well as time period and class). I do not allow students to manipulate their voices in unnatural ways to "be" another gender. Their inflection and scoring should skew feminine or masculine as needed.
Ultimately, it's a great learning experience for all students to have the opportunity to get into the heads of character from another gender. It enhances empathy and encourages risk-taking. I don't allow things to be done just to be silly, but it's great to see girls play Yank in
The Hairy Ape or Boys play Nora in
A Doll's House. Students choose their groups and their roles, so I really don't care who plays what as long as the performance is thoughtful, accurate to the best of their ability, and done as honestly as they can.
Having gender not matter also helps the students who are transgender or still figuring it out not feel pressured to "be" something they aren't.
So, go for it! Let the kids discover what it's like to explore character of a different gender. It's for a class assignment. We don't judge each other for the character they choose, we critique each other for work well done! What have we got to lose?
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Lisa Dyer
Henrico VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-09-2017 21:06
From: Shileah Corey
Subject: Gender in Scene Study
Hi John,
Gender fluid is a perfectly acceptable and respectful term for those students that identify that way (I also have students that refer to themselves as non-binary, agender, genderqueer, bi-gender, gender non-conforming or simply, queer.) Gender fluid and transgender are separate ways to identify. I think the person posting above was talking about students that identify as "either" "all" or "none" of the gendernormative/cisgender identities - not people that identify as transgender. A transgender person is easy to cast - you cast them as their gender.
It's easiest to just have a conversation with the person, explain that most of our traditional materials identify characters as "male" or "female" and ask them where they feel most comfortable for a particular project. Being fluid may mean that in a different assignment or production they may feel differently.
Just as a sidenote, all my forms have listed - Name: Age: Gender: Prounouns:
I also start off every new class/project with an introduction that includes name and pronouns (for anyone new to this please avoid saying "preferred" pronouns - it implies that "it's what the person prefers, but go ahead and misgender them if you want to.")
We are all so lucky to be teaching at a time when so many of our students feel free to be themselves. And for those that are still struggling, we can make our classrooms a safe place for them too. :)
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Shileah Corey
Mountlake Terrace WA
Original Message:
Sent: 12-09-2017 13:51
From: John Perry
Subject: Gender in Scene Study
My policy is that you must choose a character that is your gender/gender orientation. To change the person portraying the character can be counter to the playwright's intent and wishes. We all know that Edward Albee will not let Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf with a male cast. If I'm directing a play for public performance I seek permission from the playwright if I change the gender of a character. If I'm directing Shakespeare I try to not do "drag" roles. If we are doing Macbeth, the soldiers are female soldiers, not females portraying men.
Sometimes I will let males do short scenes as female characters. Invariably it will be the typical "boy" version of girls mincing around, hips swaying. I then turn to the female students and ask them, "Is that how you move, behave?" or "And that's how they think you behave!" Usually, it's a very teachable moment for the males, a small epiphany, if you will.
As for transgender students, they are not "gender fluid". They are male or female gender identified. I allow them to choose what makes them the most comfortable. Sometimes they choose a "neutral" gender scene or monologue. With all due respect, to refer to them as "gender fluid" is not giving them the respect they deserve since they are the ones who know their gender. Transgender students have a difficult time and theatre is a place where they can be accepted as they are.
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John Perry
Drama Instructor
Atherton High School
Louisville KY
Original Message:
Sent: 12-08-2017 07:09
From: Kristen Statt
Subject: Gender in Scene Study
How do you deal with gender flexibility in scene study? My general policy in my intro classes (where this seems to come up the most) is that students cannot choose a scene and flip gender with the intent of making fun of the gender they are portraying. Still, I had several boys do just this when choosing their exam piece. I made them choose different pieces when their defense was, "but we can make it really funny." I'm curious--how do other people handle this in class?
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Kristen Statt
Thunderhawk Theater Director
Lakota East High School
Liberty Twp, OH
Kristen.statt@lakotaonline.com
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