A Different Perspective

 

Two weeks ago Don and I had the pleasure of seeing Ashley's first college production -- the first staged production since the pandemic started in March 2020. The show, "Call my by any other name...just as sweet:  world premiere queer deconstruction of Romeo and Juliet," was written by a visiting professor (Nigel Semaj) and directed by them, too. The link to the playbill is HERE. I'll skip to my highlight:

Ashley Pillsbury ’24 (she/her) (Assistant Stage Manager) is studying Theatre and Psychology. She stage managed several productions in high school, most notably The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Last year, she was a designer for the virtual show Replacing Linda as part of the Fish Project Play Festival. This is her first Department production!

At the end of the show the stage crew was brought on for a bow. A highlight for me since I miss seeing my girl on stage. But the complete opposite for Ashley.

Fast forward a week to Parents Weekend when we finally had a chance to visit. We talked about the show and how excited she is to be part of this show which transformed Romeo and Juliet into a show exploring how anyone can love, no matter gender, race, or sexual identity. New relationships were revealed through the text. Modern dance numbers were added. 

This is not a review about the show, but rather a different perspective on the curtain call. The director assuming everyone likes a curtain call insisted stage crew went out for a bow -- even though some of the crew had jobs to do during stage call time (like calling cues for lights and cast, and things this audience member doesn't realize happens thanks to stage crew). At least one vocal member of stage crew was in favor of the curtain call. At least one quiet person (Ashley) was not. She went out anyway to be a good team player, but was not happy about it.

Ashley said the curtain call is not where she receives positive feedback about a job well done. That she receives from hearing people talk about the show afterwards. Some said they were so moved they bought tickets to see it two or three more times (there were only four shows, and they saw it once). 

Hearing her describe it, this was a lesson in someone imposing their views on what is correct on people who feel differently. And also a lesson in those people going along with it even though it feels wrong to them (though I did not say that last part to Ashley).

I can appreciate it was easier to go with the leader (director, teacher) than it would have been to protest (speak out), but what if next time it is not that innocuous.

This brings me to the following weekend's student shows, in particular "Dandelions." Dandelions is about abuse. One man portrayed many forms of abuser including pedophile and spousal abuse. I could tell Don didn't get that he played many different men, as the two women in the cast played a variety of women (and girls). I can only hope and pray that Ashley understood the message -- abuse is not clear cut. It might take the form of teacher slightly crossing your line inch by inch, to push you so far you don't recognize yourself.

Which brings me to another topic we recently covered: why her friends decided to rush sororities. At Muhlenberg only 20% of the students go for Greek life (that was definitely an attraction). Among her core group that number is closer to 75% (I don't have an actual number). I'm surprised because the pandemic helped them create a tight group of friends last year, and now that group is separating. They are not all joining the same sorority, but the group dynamics will never be the same. And Ashley sees that. Friends who swore they would not go Greek, got swept up and did. Leaving Ashley behind. Ashley is bonding with new people -- mostly theater friends who did not go Greek. 

Meanwhile the study abroad application is due in three weeks. Onto more adventures!