As a mom, volunteer for Arts Alive! and women studies major, I have been somewhat bewildered as this "scandal" unfolded. I am grateful and continually impressed by the way Dena Davis and Kim Durkin (costumes and much more) work with our children.
I fear I need to reiterate that Josh and others have their facts wrong. THERE WERE NO PROSTITUTES IN LITTLE SHOP OF HORROR perfomance. LYRICS WERE CHANGED IN HAIRSPRAY to be more appropriate. It's one of my family's favorite musicals (please don't bother writing to scold me....)
Why do we assume that girls or boys are being sexualized when they get to play dress up and pretend at home or in a play, and display proud, sassy attitude?
How wonderful that we can have the marvelous production of Broadway Rules spur interesting and critical dialogue.
I whole heartedly agreed with Paul Crosby's support of Arts Alive! as a wonderful organization, one that fills a vacuum for arts and performance in the schools and empowering to our kids.
I encouraged both my 10 and 13 year old to read Mr. Crosby's letter. Both were completely befuddled by his accusations. I took it as a teaching moment to explain what prostitution is, and what might have been meant by oversexualized costumes or movements. After that explaination my 10 year old daughter reponded - that wasn't sexual - that was sassy!!!
There is a difference between playing dress up and drama and percieving elementary students as scandalous and sexuallized.
I must add that by choosing to write a public letter rather than FIRST talking to Dena or any board member parent to parent, that a tremendous amout of hurt has been laid at the feet of Dena and Kim, and that is heartbreaking.
From 101 dalmations to Once Upon a Mattress to the current production, I have been nothing but impressed by this team of pros, volunteers, teachers and principals that somehow missed these things that Mr. Crosby alleges.
FInally, after reading Josh's follow up, I am flabergasted by this being put forth as investigative journalism. Completely unsupported opinion quotes were used, including from a writer that never saw the play in question.
Josh, please get your facts right and lucxidly organized before you publish your online article in the print edition. Enough false accusations, enough false information, enough hurt. You have the opportunity to right this story in a fair, journalistic way, which is lacking in your on line piece.
Please explain the inappropriate content below.
