Open Forum

Please help!  Our theatre program decided to do Decision Height following the lives of six Women AirService Pilots from WWII. The play is powerful and educational.  We purchased the rights, the scripts, and have auditions slated for next Wednesday.  I received emails from two parents saying that by doing an all-female show (everyone is allowed to audition) I am discriminating against the males in my program.  We have three males who sometimes audition and sometimes don't.  I had to switch one-acts in the spring because two of the males did not audition at all.  I only had two males audition for our musical Freaky Friday.  I also did Steel Magnolias in 2021 without complaints.  The assistant superintendent met with me Friday and told me that I have to provide meaningful participation for the male actors and it can't be crew or the ensemble or genderbending.  We have an extensive technical program which encompasses student crew leaders for nine different crews -- so crew is a very big deal in our theatre program.  Parents have threatened a Title IX lawsuit.  Any advice anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Oy. Forgive my cynicism, but the threat of a lawsuit makes this sound like a set-up for a Title IX test case. How many shows do you do a season? Can you demonstrate that across all shows there are equal acting opportunities for boys? I'm guessing since you have an extensive technical program you do several. If necessary, License and hold auditions for an all male show - maybe work with a playwrite who self-publishes who will work with you and refund fees if you fail to have sufficient boys turn out to cast the show and have to cancel.

Please keep us posted on how this progresses.

As I recall, the notes in the script for Decision Height say you are allowed to cast males as other, non-speaking soldiers.]

Billy Houck

That's unfortunate. Is there a way to do a shorter, more male (or at least gender-flexible) piece as a curtain-raiser? When I was teaching, I would sometimes do a short piece to accommodate more actors, particularly if my "main" show didn't have a huge cast. Whether that would entirely satisfy them, however, I don't know.

Cheers,
Jonathan

I was just popping in to suggest the same. The boys who show up could do something thematically similar in a smaller package. It certainly does sound like a cynical foundation-laying response however.  Good luck.

Thank you all for your support and help.  We perform a fall show (straight play), a musical, and three one-act plays.  Lots of opportunities for everyone.  I have decided to take your advice and prepared an accompanying piece that features General Arnold and some other male officers who either supported or denied the WASPs.  I really appreciate having other theatre professionals who understand theatre as a collaborative art to look to for help.  Hopefully, this will work out.  

Wow!  I wonder if this is a new trend (threatening Title IX lawsuits).  Anyway, it might be worth calling the publisher and explaining your situation to see if they might sympathize and refund your money.  Good luck!

Click this link: Title IX and Sex Discrimination

 The most significant issue is that the boys' lack of participation wasn't due to a discriminatory action by the teacher. Maybe no boys auditioned, or maybe 1-2 boys tried but did very poor auditions without rehearsing. The injury (not being in the play) was caused by their own inaction, not the teacher's decision to have an all-female cast.  The parents' Title IX lawsuit likely lacks a strong legal basis. For a lawsuit to proceed, the plaintiffs (the parents and students) must have legal standing, meaning they must show they have suffered a concrete, particularized, and actual injury caused by the defendant (the school).  Tell the school administration to tell the parents: The teacher chose the play based on students who showed interest and auditioned. And/Or you can calmly and professionally explain the process to the parents, emphasizing that casting was based on auditions and interest, not gender. Cover your bases by keeping all communication, casting calls, audition notes, whatever...   The teacher and administration should review the school's non-discrimination and theater department policies to ensure all actions were in compliance. This will help them confirm your  position and provide a strong defense against any potential legal challenge.