North Carolina High School Cancels Almost, Maine Over Sexual Content

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 10/16/14 at 8:42am

Before I even read this, I knew it had to be because there is a same sex couple in the play. Small minded morons in power positions continue to hang on to their bigotry as the world passes them by. Please sign the petition:

http://playbill.com/news/article/north-carolina-high-school-cancels-almost-maine-over-sexual-content-333346

[ggersten]

Posted: 10/16/14 at 9:39am

Ignoring the merits - but why aren't drama teachers clearing plays ahead of time with the Principal of the school? Or why aren't Principals during their job in actually reading a play proposed by a drama teacher? I know everyone is busy busy busy, but in almost all of these stories about plays cancelled after auditions ore rehearsals start, it seems like the Principal wasn't involved in the choice.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/16/14 at 9:41am

And the final scene is quite suggestive as well with a couple undressing each other fervently.

I actually don't have a problem with them deciding the play shouldn't be produced -- they have a right to decide what is "appropriate" for their community. They certainly shouldn't care what people outside of their community (US) think.

To me, the real problem is: if they are going to ban shows (regardless of the reason) it should happen before it is announced or at the very least before it is cast.

And before you harp on me for being close minded, my school produced this last spring. People loved it and we loved doing it. And I was "concerned" that we might catch flak for the undressing scene WAY more than being concerned about the gay scene (which is my favorite scene in the play). We rec'd NO complaints.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/16/14 at 9:44am

GG --

I don't actually NEED approval from my principal. However, he loves our drama dept and we talk freely about choices. He also knows that IF I'm choosing to do anything even remotely "questionable" that I'd alert him to it. Which is why I'm trusted NOT to need approval.

I've never been denied in ANY way for ANY show I've produced.

However, you don't know that originally the principal DIDN'T give his/her ok -- he may have only changed his mind when the complaints came in.

[Showface]

Posted: 10/16/14 at 9:44am

Question:

Why BWW published stories like this like news for the past few months? This happens all the time! I just wonder why all of a sudden it is such a big deal for a principal to cancel a school play.

But yes...the teacher should have cleared it with him.


PS: I am in no way supporting the principal...actually I am on no one's side...I was just asking why this is such big "news"...

Updated On: 10/17/14 at 09:44 AM

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 10/17/14 at 10:06am

"But yes...the teacher should have cleared it with him. And, it's North Carolina....is it really that surprising? "

Lived in NC for almost 25 years now so find it rather amusing people making comments like that who do not live here. My daughters went to a "arts" school in Charlotte NC that has produced several young people who have performed on Broadway and the leading lady of "Miss Saigon" in London. You don't get young people like that without having them challenged in performances that have some cutting edge to them.

One school made a issue out of this in NC and you are going to try and portray NC as some "backwards" state. BTW - Same sex marriages are now allowed in NC.

[Showface]

Posted: 10/17/14 at 10:13am

^Wel, I apologize...I should not have said that! Again my apologies...my main reaspn for my post in general was asking "why is this news" my mistake. I completely understand! Please forgive...




I will edit my previous post.


PS: I actually lived in North Carolina for a little while (Charlotte actually), and I was quite pleased with the Arts Community there....same with Durham and Raleigh

Again...please forgive!I reevaluated my statement and I was REALLY STUPID to say such a statement. If I could re-do it I would, but I cant, so all I can actually say is just "sorry"

And type another simile face:

Updated On: 10/17/14 at 10:13 AM

[ggersten]

Posted: 10/17/14 at 10:13am

It is true that I don't know if the Principal originally approved the selection. I made the silly assumption that if the Principal did approve the play in advance, the Principal would stand by that decision and defend the selection.

In our small college town, one of the high schools has performed A Chorus Line, Laramie Project, Rent (school edition), Sweeney Todd (school edition) and other shows that conceivably push the edge for high school shows. I'm not aware of any major controversies - and if there were any complaints, they were dealt with or ignored. We joke that the teacher's last year will be Hair, Spring Awakening and Oh Calcutta.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 10/17/14 at 11:29am

"^Wel, I apologize...I should not have said that! Again my apologies...my main reaspn for my post in general was asking "why is this news" my mistake. I completely understand! Please forgive..."

No problem, apology accepted. I am not good with smiley faces but would post one if I was - lol

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/17/14 at 2:03pm

I can understand why you would say that, Showface. It's a red state (mostly) and they are very conservative compared to many places. They passed Amendment 1 only 2 and half years ago, making it unconstitutional to recognize or perform same sex marriage. The only reason it was struck down was because of the federal government. The majority of the state (61%) seemed content with it.

Sadly, this kind of thing with shows happens all over the country though.

Updated On: 10/17/14 at 02:03 PM

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 10/17/14 at 3:52pm

"I can understand why you would say that, Showface. It's a red state (mostly) and they are very conservative compared to many places. They passed Amendment 1 only 2 and half years ago, making it unconstitutional to recognize or perform same sex marriage. The only reason it was struck down was because of the federal government. The majority of the state (61%) seemed content with it. "

NC is a rapidly changing demographic. I can't tell you how many people from NY have moved here in the last 20 years. In Charlotte NC, there is an area of the city that has been nicknamed "Little Long Island". Charlotte NC has elected two African American mayors since I moved here in 1990 and we know that Africa-Americans are not normally conservative. Obama carried NC in 2008 and barely lost in 2012. Also, that was one school and that nobody should base anything about a state because of it

Finally, do a search on Northwest School Of The Arts in Charlotte NC. This school is not only know for it's "Arts" program but has been widely acclaimed for it's acceptance of all students. In other words, there are quite a few g*ay students and the majority of the school is African-American. Wonder how this happens in such a very conservative state - lol.

Updated On: 10/17/14 at 03:52 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/17/14 at 4:09pm

You seem very defensive on simply facts of your state. I said the majority of your state is conservative, and mostly a red state. Amendment 1 was also passed by 61% of people who live there. All facts.

Also, the word GAY doesn't need a star (like it's a bad word) and there is is no such thing as an "Africa-American".

Lastly, conservatives aren't automatically racist against African-Americans, so it's very strange you would bring it up like that's an accomplishment for conservatives.

Updated On: 10/17/14 at 04:09 PM

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 10/17/14 at 5:00pm

"Also, the word GAY doesn't need a star (like it's a bad word) and there is is no such thing as an "Africa-American".

First, in some websites for example (NY Yankees) they do not allow words like "gay" to be used on their fan board because they consider it slur. Due to that,I did use it that way and not because I think it is a bad word. Second, the reference to African- American mayors(Democrats) being elected in Charlotte was showing the state may not be as conservative politically as people think. If you did not get that "Africa-American" was a typo than excuse me and I will make sure it gets corrected later. I never said conservatives are automatically racist against African-Americans. I just pointed out this one school is known for it's diversity and acceptance of everyone which is quite different from the opinion some people may have of people in NC. There is no "bullying" in this school because somebody is different which is a wonderful thing.

Finally, yes I can be defensive when somebody talks about the state I live in which was done by another poster who later apologized for the wording of the post. Oh well, I have beaten this to death. Have a good day.

[lillebjorn]

Posted: 10/17/14 at 6:15pm

The "simple fact" is North Carolina has for some years been, and still is, a purple state. The current Senate race is evenly poised.

Yes, 61% of voters on the day voted for amendment 1.

It should be noted that the day chosen by the NC Republican state leadership for the vote was Primary day in May 2012. Voter turnout for Primaries is dreadful everywhere and only the most motivated voters turn out. It would seem logical that more Republicans would turn out on Primary day as they were also choosing a presidential candidate. So Republican voters - more likely to support the amendment - would be more likely to turn out to vote. I would hazard a guess that if the Amendment had been it's own separate election or if the vote was on the same November day as the presidential/congressional election, the vote percentages would not have been artificially and politically skewed.

[TheBoyFromNC]

Posted: 10/17/14 at 10:05pm

I live in that town.

I graduated from that high school.

People here would flip. I don't blame the principal at all. He would receive a lot of trouble from parents for this. The chorus teacher (who helps run the drama program) is notorious for deliberately seeking conflict with the administration based on her principles (which she KNOWS the general community doesn't agree with - we're deep in the Bible Belt). I'm surprised they got as far as they did with Almost, Maine before getting shut down.

I really want to see this play, now, though.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/17/14 at 10:13pm

It's really one of the most innocuous "gay" scenes you could imagine. The men never even touch. The scene itself is cute, as is the whole play. Great literature? No, but a crowd pleaser.

[jemjeb2]

Posted: 10/19/14 at 2:44pm

Well, not all crowds apparently.

[Showface]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 5:39pm

Kickstarter Campaign up....things just got serious... Updated On: 10/21/14 at 05:39 PM