Addressing the Drama in Local Theatre

 

I entered the world of theatre in the summer of 2023 as a way to better connect with my kids. Since then, I've been part of more than ten productions, and it has become a treasured part of my life. It has been an elixir for my emotional health, a wonderful way for my family to bond, and a place where I've met some of the coolest people on the planet. 

I also learned there can be a lot of drama in theatre, and I'm not just talking about Shakespeare. 

While I'm a billion miles away from being a model human being, I try to avoid gossip and speaking poorly about others, keep my ego in a locked cage, and be a positive and encouraging member of every show I'm involved in. I'm aware some companies don't get along. I'm aware that some issues have festered within the theatre community. People I trust and respect have shared stories of toxic and harmful experiences, and I have no reason to believe those experiences were fabricated. 

At the same time, I've heard difficult stories connected to every theatre company I've worked with, and whenever possible, I've tried to understand all sides of a situation. All I can speak to is my own experience. For my family and me, our time in theatre has been overwhelmingly positive and uplifting. I've only had one production that I didn't enjoy, and I wouldn't place the blame on the company itself. 

I believe people have the right to be honest about their experiences. If someone has been hurt or feels an environment was unhealthy, they shouldn't be expected to bury those feelings. Ideally, speaking up comes from a place of wanting accountability, growth, and improvement. We all make mistakes; sometimes major, life-changing ones, but I also hope people are given opportunities to learn, change, and strive to do better. 

What I am confident about is that bullying, character attacks, and public shaming are never tools for meaningful improvement. It breaks my heart to see a community I've fallen in love with sometimes descend into that kind of behaviour. I'm not downplaying real hurts or mistakes, and I've seen many people handle difficult situations with maturity and integrity. But I also have witnessed individuals who I don't personally know use social media as a weapon to hurt and slander others. 

In trying to hurt certain people, they often end up causing anxiety and emotional harm to many others, including those they claim to be protecting. Attacking an entire show dismisses the hard work of cast and crew members of all ages and backgrounds who have poured their hearts into creating something special. It diminishes the efforts of performers, stage managers, technicians, designers, and creators when the goal should be to lift each other up and make great art together. 

I know I'm just one guy who, in the grand scheme of things, hasn't been doing this very long. I'm not exactly known for creating deep and lasting relationships. I'm more of an "at least he didn't steal my cookie" or "I'll talk to him until the cool people arrive" kind of person. You're probably not coming to me for theatre advice unless you need tips on walking in shoes with the soles falling off. 

But I genuinely care about the people I meet. I try to be friendly, encouraging, and uplifting wherever I go. Every time I join a show, I hope everyone feels seen, appreciated, and valued. I hope it feels as close to a family and a team as possible. 

I have no idea how successful I am at that, but after everything I've seen over the last few months, I'm more convinced than ever that positivity matters, kindness matters, and making people feel appreciated matters

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