Draft!

This is the first almost four pages of my paper!

Theatre is not meant for just entertainment. There are some who believe that theatre should be light, fun, an escape. They don’t want to think too hard, they don’t want to have their ideas or opinions challenged. They don’t realize what an important teaching tool theatre can and should be. These same people might then look at a play, one without a particularly “happy ending” and think it is without merit. They might believe that these plays should not be written, or produced, or viewed. Plays like Marsha Norman’s ‘Night Mother, dealing with depression and suicide, would be disregarded by such people. FIND MY THESIS THAT HE LIKED AND POST IT HERE. Theatre is not meant for just entertainment. 

A stage is a safe space. Difficult topics and darker themes can be explored safely on a stage. This exploration is a great teaching tool for both those involved in the production process and those in attendance of a performance. There are plays that deal with abuse, drugs, bullying, depression, suicide, pregnancy, abortion, disease and illness, insanity, peer pressure, gossip, homosexuality, and many other tough or risky subjects.  The actors who have to deal with these topics directly might come to a deeper understanding of why someone might be struggling with them. It gives them empathy. The audience that witnesses these topics will understand the consequences of certain actions. Kimberly Melon, a part-time faculty member at Brigham Young University said 

“Theatre can be a great pulpit. There are many people who wouldn’t set foot in a church but regularly attend theatre productions. These same people can sit in an audience and in two hours learn about certain choices and their consequences. Theatre can be a powerful teaching tool, if used correctly.”

The same plays about abuse, drugs, bullying, depression, suicide, pregnancy, abortion, disease and illness, insanity, peer pressure, gossip, or homosexuality can educate an audience. Notice that Kim said “if used correctly” - this is an important distinction. Theatre is not just for entertainment, but it is also not just for shock value. These plays should be selected because of the messages they can teach, not because a director wants to push the envelope. A play about homosexuality and bullying might make audience members more tolerant and Christlike. For example, The Laramie Project is a play about a boy in high school who is gay and bullied mercilessly for it. He is ostracized by his peers and he sinks deep into depression.  A play that deals with illness and disease might be a comfort to someone who is dealing with that in their lives. A play about gossip can teach about the serious repercussions and damages that spreading rumors can cause. The Children’s Hour, for instance, is about two school teachers who run a boarding school (think of the movie A Little Princess, where the students live there) but one child is angry with the teachers for punishing her so she tells her aunt that she has seen them touching each other inappropriately. The fallout is tremendous: every parent withdraws their child from the school, one of the teachers was engaged but her fiance broke the engagement because he doubts her, they are social pariahs and shunned by everyone in town, one teacher gets so desperate that she commits suicide. Audience members who witness the consequences of one child’s lie might think twice before they spread a rumor that they know to be false. There are countless plays that deal with these difficult subjects, countless plays that some would consider “dark” but still have merit and value. Countless plays that should be produced for educational purposes. 

That all being said, one wouldn’t direct such a play without certain precautions. Directors need to be careful about the way that they approach and discuss these subjects for their company. Actors needs should be taken care of. It is often remarked upon by actors how exciting it is to get to “be someone else.” They enjoy being able to think like someone else and act like someone else. If they are performing in a play that is a little darker in nature, getting into character can be difficult. Thinking like their character might lead to some heavy emotions, some emotions they aren’t prepared to handle. It is important for these directors to make everything kosher. Most everyone has heard the alleged story of The Dark Knight’s Joker - Heath Ledger - and his method acting. There are rumors of him going so far into character that he became severely depressed and overdosed on pills to end his life. This is completely avoidable. Theatre directors need to remind actors that it isn’t real, that the emotions they are dealing with aren’t real, that it is just acting. They need to make sure to do light and fun things between rehearsals, take breaks a lot. 

Directors also need to be careful to take care of the audience’s needs regarding such performances. Dramatic Literature does not have a rating system, so audience members may not know what they are about to watch. It is important for a director to advertise accordingly, perhaps make an arbitrary rating or statement about what age should attend such a play. “Plays that address a politically sensitive topic. Plays that have some sexual content (or content that is perceived to be sexual). Plays that are considered to be hostile to “family values,” however those might be defined. Plays that contain one of George Carlin’s seven words. Other script selections problem areas include treatment of ethnic minorities; use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs; and weapons used as props” are ones that parents or community members could find questionable (Corathers). Audiences should be made aware of content.