Art and Tolerance

BY BARTON BUND, THE BLACKBIRD THEATRE

The Director of California Musical Theatre has resigned after he was found to have made a $1000 contribution to support Proposition 8, which bans marriage between same-sex couples in California. A member of the Mormon church, Scott Eckern has apologized publicly, saying he is very sorry if his religious beliefs are upsetting to some people. A Facebook-promoted boycott of the theatre and rage from the artistic community have now endangered the company. Composer Marc Shaiman ("Hairspray") has announced that he will not allow his work to be connected with individuals supporting discrimination in our Constitution.

So what I wonder is this: should the religious beliefs and activities of an individual jeopardize their standing in the arts community? Is the Theatre the right place to dispute Proposition 8?

I believe that our own theatre community is divided along similar lines. I have heard reports and have witnessed many incidents of open discrimination. There is a strong division between gay and straight theatre. We cannot even call ourselves a community when members of our community are unwelcome. We cannot call ourselves diverse or forward-thinking when anyone is being oppressed.

Then again, is the theatre any different from the rest of the world? Some businesses are gay-friendly, others are not. I am strongly opposed to Proposition 8, and any legislation that restricts basic civil liberties. But it's also a free country. Isn’t it?

We have strived to welcome and support the gay community since we founded the theatre. We have produced work about gay people, written by gay people, and performed by gay people. It is the community and the world that we live in, and our work reflects it. Our community and acting company are diverse, and our work reflects us. But if we are facing tough economic times like everyone is saying, then I fear we may not be able to continue to make such bold choices. I would not want to create politically neutral theatre. It goes against my nature. But I don’t want our business to suffer either. As our company grows, we shall strive to maintain our principles. I have to believe that our audience will support our choices. As they say in Geoffrey and Jeffrey, now playing at Performance Network Theatre, “Thank God we live in Ann Arbor.” Here, our audience embraces diversity, and often, we are preaching to the choir. There is a lot of choir here in Ann Arbor.

For more information on Scott Eckern and California Musical Theatre, click on the link below.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/theater/13thea.html?ref=theater

Visit the Blackbird Theatre at www.blackbirdtheatre.org