Anonymous wrote:

WOW, I can't imagine a scenario where this is appropriate? How old is your DD? What was her reaction? Was she horrified, embarrassed, angry, ???

DD is 15, she is also wondering why she seems to be the one assigned these sexualized roles. I think she was looking to me to see if she has a right to be horrified, the main reaction that was visible though was anger. (and my 15 yo does not need more anger)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never thought I'd be a parent complaining about content. And I bit my tongue as I sat through legally blonde and watched the lead grab her breasts in hand and shake them for the audience. Now my daughter is coming home with the following script from a class, not an afterschool program: http://www.cbilodeau.com/green-dating-excerpt.pdf

What class?

I think I am calling troll here, no way this is legit.

Oh you asked what class? Theater 2

First, I thought this was an English class and was shocked, but that shock level went down a bit once you said it was a Theater class.

Regardless, I would agree that it isn't appropriate (and the content is stupid - doesn't make sense).

have you heard back from Admin/teacher yet? What are they supposed to be doing with this script (objective)?

I will give the play this much, there is a message regarding asking new sexual partners to be tested. That is a positive one that I am not opposed to my daughter being exposed to. What was posted, was just an excerpt. That being said, the way the message is delivered to me is too profane in terms of asking my kid to reenact it. I would actually be less angry (though still angry) were they reading and studying the scene. Also, I personally find it crap, but that's a subjective analysis and I'm not qualified to evaluate theater in any meaningful way. Computer geek here, art goes over my head at times.

The teacher sent me an apology I'm not satisfied with that he was thoughtless in making the assignment. Her assignment will be changed.

The administrator, Principal Berry and I spoke and I received a non-resolution as far as I'm concerned. He spoke with the teacher and conveyed his disapproval of the content. From his conversation, I received no indication that there will be any "record" of this incident in case it arises in the future. What I'm not sure I conveyed previously, is that Mr. D'Anna sent home a script last year, to which parents complained, which was pulled. http://www.10-minute-plays.com/comedies/family_2_0.html. We have spoken to Mr. D'Anna (my daughter and I) about her feelings of being typecast into "sexy" roles and a desire to play different parts which, to me, should convey her discomfort with these roles, perhaps the language was not strong enough. She has gotten different roles while taking classes, but something "edgy" or, in my mind, inappropriate has now come up both years.

My concern is there was no recollection on the principal's part about parent complaints last year. To be fair, because administrators often handle it, I don't know whether the complaint got to the principal, but I am concerned that just a "talking to" without some plan in place to prevent this from happening beyond just "professional judgement" is an appeasement for this incident, and not a solution to the underlying problem.

The other concerning thing is that when the assignment was handed out, Mr. D'Anna made a comment to my daughter and scene partner about possibly changing the scene because he knew how "sensitive" some parents could be. This suggests to me a knowledge that the content was likely to be found objectionable and the appropriate action, if not choosing a different assignment, would be to reach out before handing it out. It also sounds like a silencing tactic, either to intimidate myself and her to question our comfort zones with the content, or to encourage her/her partner, not to share the assignment.

Anonymous wrote:I've not gotten a response yet. I spoke at MCPS curriculum, they essentially said it's up to the teacher as to what's in class as policy stands now.

I'm "trolling" the internet while trying to keep calm and await a response. My brain knows they've got 100's of kids to deal with, but I'm kinda sick of this crap. It's not the first questionable script that's been sent home, just the worse

I thought you were overreacting, but that play is not appropriate.

Anonymous wrote:I never thought I'd be a parent complaining about content. And I bit my tongue as I sat through legally blonde and watched the lead grab her breasts in hand and shake them for the audience. Now my daughter is coming home with the following script from a class, not an afterschool program: http://www.cbilodeau.com/green-dating-excerpt.pdf

Apparently, according to her website, she's an award-winning playwright. (if that makes a difference)

http://www.cbilodeau.com/biographie.html

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never thought I'd be a parent complaining about content. And I bit my tongue as I sat through legally blonde and watched the lead grab her breasts in hand and shake them for the audience. Now my daughter is coming home with the following script from a class, not an afterschool program: http://www.cbilodeau.com/green-dating-excerpt.pdf

What class?

I think I am calling troll here, no way this is legit.

Oh you asked what class? Theater 2

First, I thought this was an English class and was shocked, but that shock level went down a bit once you said it was a Theater class.

Regardless, I would agree that it isn't appropriate (and the content is stupid - doesn't make sense).

have you heard back from Admin/teacher yet? What are they supposed to be doing with this script (objective)?

NP here. Really? That's just crap, Theater class or not!

PP, I hope you do hear back, and let us know what happens. Agree that it is not appropriate AT ALL.

Anonymous wrote:While the Blake High School Stage Company often features plays with overt sexual themes, they have an occasional Children's Theater performance. Fortunately, this is one of those years and some students have had a break from the incessant adult themes of the Stage Company director, Michael D'Anna. I highly recommend A Day at the Zoo if you want to see a wonderful acting group directed by the extraordinary professional teacher Ms. Wagner, who has a wonderful gift for working with teenagers and expertly brings out the natural connections that many teens have with the young. You can check out A Day at the Zoo this weekend. More details are available on the Blake High School website. Performing arts high schools such as Blake need to do a variety of performances, not just ones that teenagers and adults alone can go see. I hope that the amazing Blake Stage Company changes their direction in regards to performance selection so they can design more of these beautiful, family-friendly shows. The high school is known for its theater program, but many students, not just mine, find themselves uncomfortable with the selection of plays and musicals that the director selects.

Check it out!

Agree with all of this. Thanks for posting OP.

Anonymous wrote:I never thought I'd be a parent complaining about content. And I bit my tongue as I sat through legally blonde and watched the lead grab her breasts in hand and shake them for the audience. Now my daughter is coming home with the following script from a class, not an afterschool program: http://www.cbilodeau.com/green-dating-excerpt.pdf

WOW, I can't imagine a scenario where this is appropriate? How old is your DD? What was her reaction? Was she horrified, embarrassed, angry, ???

I've not gotten a response yet. I spoke at MCPS curriculum, they essentially said it's up to the teacher as to what's in class as policy stands now.

I'm "trolling" the internet while trying to keep calm and await a response. My brain knows they've got 100's of kids to deal with, but I'm kinda sick of this crap. It's not the first questionable script that's been sent home, just the worse

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never thought I'd be a parent complaining about content. And I bit my tongue as I sat through legally blonde and watched the lead grab her breasts in hand and shake them for the audience. Now my daughter is coming home with the following script from a class, not an afterschool program: http://www.cbilodeau.com/green-dating-excerpt.pdf

What class?

I think I am calling troll here, no way this is legit.

Oh you asked what class? Theater 2

First, I thought this was an English class and was shocked, but that shock level went down a bit once you said it was a Theater class.

Regardless, I would agree that it isn't appropriate (and the content is stupid - doesn't make sense).

have you heard back from Admin/teacher yet? What are they supposed to be doing with this script (objective)?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never thought I'd be a parent complaining about content. And I bit my tongue as I sat through legally blonde and watched the lead grab her breasts in hand and shake them for the audience. Now my daughter is coming home with the following script from a class, not an afterschool program: http://www.cbilodeau.com/green-dating-excerpt.pdf

What class?

I think I am calling troll here, no way this is legit.

Oh you asked what class? Theater 2

Incidentally, if there are other Blake Theater parents that are discussing content and there is a forum for this, I would love to know about it.