cassandra james, dei manager“Where’s International Men’s Day?” “If there was a White Entertainment Television network, imagine the uproar.” “Why do I need to put my pronouns in my email?” “All this wokeness is getting out of hand.” “Women of all colors experience the carnage of men of all colors. It’s not about race, it’s about MEN BEHAVING BADLY. Women should UNITE.” Instead of discussing the reasons that we have Woman’s History Month, Black Entertainment Television, Pride Month, or breaking down feminism into its many forms, it’s easier to ask, “why don’t I have it”. The reasons behind those observances are not something that many people are comfortable talking about, so instead they deflect and make it about themselves. To make progress, it is important that we decenter ourselves, so we can have those difficult conversations. When I was in a college level Woman’s Studies class I got into an argument with a classmate on the topic of patriarchy. I mentioned that as a Black woman, I have a different relationship to the patriarchy from her as a white woman. She wanted me to negate my race, to focus on my sex. She was centering herself and her experience with the patriarchy as the only one that held value. The conversation was very unproductive. If she had just taken a pause, decentered herself, and let me speak, she could have seen my perspective. Decentering yourself can involve shifting your perspective and looking outside your lived experience. What does that look like in practice?  Listen to understand – take in all the information before you form an opinion
Ask open ended questions - Before you make assumptions about what is being communated, be inquistive and ask questions that allows the person to elaborate Stop derailing the conversation – don’t lead the conversation with “what about”. It won’t do anything but shut down communication. Sit in discomfort – Try not to conflate being uncomfortable with being unsafe. While you may be uncomfortable, you are in no danger. Practice silence – there are times when the best thing you can do is stay quiet and reflect. Create space – Allowing others to have their voice heard, allows you to take a step back and learn. Erin depalma, Senior Director of Shubert EventsLast month I had the pleasure of meeting with an enthusiastic group of first graders from PS212 as they toured the Majestic Theatre as part of their social studies curriculum. A bit about the program:
“The First Grade Theatre Study was created to illustrate the collaborative process of how professionals work together to create live theatre, using a social studies lens. This study looks at the entire process of how a show comes together--from the creation of a script to the running of a live musical. In first grade students engage in the research process, meeting with directors, designers, stagehands, front of house workers, wardrobe workers, and actors, in order to gather information about each theatre job. In the winter, students begin writing their own original fairy tale, designing the advertisements and playbill covers for the show, and deciding on which job they will carry out for the production. Students reflect on the fall semester, as well as their individual interests, talents, and strengths to then select one theatrical job and carry out all responsibilities associated with it. Theatre workshop begins as students build set models, design costumes, sell tickets, choreograph dances, rehearse their lines, etc. By June, the first graders are ready to present their original musical to the community. The evening includes a museum of all of the work, a film documenting the entire process, and the live performance (complete with an 11-piece orchestra made up of Local 802 musicians, parent volunteers, and teachers). Our main goal of the study is to help students develop their own unique abilities and strengths, and understand the importance of collaboration and teamwork.” The students knew they were some of the first members of the public to glimpse the newly renovated Majestic Theatre and their expressions of awe and wonder as they stepped onto the stage were a great reminder of the joy that drove myself, and so many of our colleagues, towards this business years ago! Facilities Project Manager, Kieran McGee, led the group on a tour through the theatre pointing out details of the renovation while they asked thoughtful questions (how do you change the light bulbs in that chandelier?) Long time Phantom of the Opera cast member Jeremy Stolle joined the group as well and shared anecdotes from his many years at the Majestic. The students were very impressed to hear Jeremy’s tales of the stunts he executed when he went on as the Phantom – but no one was more impressed than Jeremy himself as he marveled at the transformation of the Majestic! A couple of weeks after the tour I was delighted to attend their original musical – “The Prince Who Loved”. They all put on a great show and it was such a treat to witness the work of the next generation of theatre professionals. We’ll see you in twelve or so years, future colleagues!
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