Quote:An upstate New York high school has pulled its upcoming musical production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” after students protested the casting of a white classmate for the lead role of Esmeralda.

Ithaca High School faced backlash by some students who banded together in protest following the exit of another member of the spring play due to the casting of Esmeralda – a fictional character that portrays a 15th century Romani gypsy in Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel.

“It shows you that theater wasn’t made for you,” Maddi Carroll, 17, an African-American senior who quit the production, told the Ithaca Journal. “And it shows you that if you can’t get the parts that are written for you, what parts are you going to get?”

The move prompted student activists who make up the group Students United Ithaca to pressure the school for a more diverse cast.

“Because of institutionalized racism this results in white children being cast in roles written as white parts and also white children being cast in roles that were specifically intended for people of color,” the group posted to Facebook in a list of 10 “demands” for the Ithaca City School District.

“Make no mistake, the world is not colorblind. Casting cannot be colorblind. Enough is Enough.”

Another demand read: “STOP ignoring and denying that you have created a white centered program run by white adults for the benefit of white children.”

Students also wrote a protest letter posted on Tompkins Weekly on Jan. 8 saying: “Unfortunately, it has also come to our attention that the casting of this musical is antithetical to the very message which beats throughout the heart of the musical itself.”

The letter continued: “We speak, specifically, of the casting choice of the role of Esmerelda. Before we speak further, we want to stress that the talented young woman who was cast in this role is a stellar actor, singer, and dancer. She has worked hard to hone her craft and the IHS stage, or any stage, would be lucky to have her. Our concern is not with her, but with the fact that in terms of demographics, she is the wrong choice for this role.”

Following the complaints, the school announced its cancellation of the production late last month.

“The active community engagement and conversation about the selection of the Hunchback of Notre Dame for the Ithaca High School musical has led to many conversations in our school district,” the Ithaca School District posted on its website.

“This dialogue has affirmed our observations and wishes to have a more inclusive and culturally responsive learning community. In short, our efforts to eliminate institutional biases are ongoing.”

In announcing that the play would not go forward, the school district said: “In lieu of the planned musical, another collaborative project will provide young people and our community the opportunity to engage together while fully expressing the talents of our students.”

“A new project is currently being discussed by students, families and educators. This project will also engage the talents and skills of students previously cast,” the district said.

(02-09-2018 05:30 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

Quote:An upstate New York high school has pulled its upcoming musical production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” after students protested the casting of a white classmate for the lead role of Esmeralda.

Ithaca High School faced backlash by some students who banded together in protest following the exit of another member of the spring play due to the casting of Esmeralda – a fictional character that portrays a 15th century Romani gypsy in Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel.

“It shows you that theater wasn’t made for you,” Maddi Carroll, 17, an African-American senior who quit the production, told the Ithaca Journal. “And it shows you that if you can’t get the parts that are written for you, what parts are you going to get?”

The move prompted student activists who make up the group Students United Ithaca to pressure the school for a more diverse cast.

“Because of institutionalized racism this results in white children being cast in roles written as white parts and also white children being cast in roles that were specifically intended for people of color,” the group posted to Facebook in a list of 10 “demands” for the Ithaca City School District.

“Make no mistake, the world is not colorblind. Casting cannot be colorblind. Enough is Enough.”

Another demand read: “STOP ignoring and denying that you have created a white centered program run by white adults for the benefit of white children.”

Students also wrote a protest letter posted on Tompkins Weekly on Jan. 8 saying: “Unfortunately, it has also come to our attention that the casting of this musical is antithetical to the very message which beats throughout the heart of the musical itself.”

The letter continued: “We speak, specifically, of the casting choice of the role of Esmerelda. Before we speak further, we want to stress that the talented young woman who was cast in this role is a stellar actor, singer, and dancer. She has worked hard to hone her craft and the IHS stage, or any stage, would be lucky to have her. Our concern is not with her, but with the fact that in terms of demographics, she is the wrong choice for this role.”

Following the complaints, the school announced its cancellation of the production late last month.

“The active community engagement and conversation about the selection of the Hunchback of Notre Dame for the Ithaca High School musical has led to many conversations in our school district,” the Ithaca School District posted on its website.

“This dialogue has affirmed our observations and wishes to have a more inclusive and culturally responsive learning community. In short, our efforts to eliminate institutional biases are ongoing.”

In announcing that the play would not go forward, the school district said: “In lieu of the planned musical, another collaborative project will provide young people and our community the opportunity to engage together while fully expressing the talents of our students.”

“A new project is currently being discussed by students, families and educators. This project will also engage the talents and skills of students previously cast,” the district said.

https://nypost.com/2018/02/07/high-school-pulls-musical-after-outcry-for-casting-white-student/

(02-09-2018 06:17 PM)ark30inf Wrote:  

(02-09-2018 05:30 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

Quote:An upstate New York high school has pulled its upcoming musical production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” after students protested the casting of a white classmate for the lead role of Esmeralda.

Ithaca High School faced backlash by some students who banded together in protest following the exit of another member of the spring play due to the casting of Esmeralda – a fictional character that portrays a 15th century Romani gypsy in Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel.

“It shows you that theater wasn’t made for you,” Maddi Carroll, 17, an African-American senior who quit the production, told the Ithaca Journal. “And it shows you that if you can’t get the parts that are written for you, what parts are you going to get?”

The move prompted student activists who make up the group Students United Ithaca to pressure the school for a more diverse cast.

“Because of institutionalized racism this results in white children being cast in roles written as white parts and also white children being cast in roles that were specifically intended for people of color,” the group posted to Facebook in a list of 10 “demands” for the Ithaca City School District.

“Make no mistake, the world is not colorblind. Casting cannot be colorblind. Enough is Enough.”

Another demand read: “STOP ignoring and denying that you have created a white centered program run by white adults for the benefit of white children.”

Students also wrote a protest letter posted on Tompkins Weekly on Jan. 8 saying: “Unfortunately, it has also come to our attention that the casting of this musical is antithetical to the very message which beats throughout the heart of the musical itself.”

The letter continued: “We speak, specifically, of the casting choice of the role of Esmerelda. Before we speak further, we want to stress that the talented young woman who was cast in this role is a stellar actor, singer, and dancer. She has worked hard to hone her craft and the IHS stage, or any stage, would be lucky to have her. Our concern is not with her, but with the fact that in terms of demographics, she is the wrong choice for this role.”

Following the complaints, the school announced its cancellation of the production late last month.

“The active community engagement and conversation about the selection of the Hunchback of Notre Dame for the Ithaca High School musical has led to many conversations in our school district,” the Ithaca School District posted on its website.

“This dialogue has affirmed our observations and wishes to have a more inclusive and culturally responsive learning community. In short, our efforts to eliminate institutional biases are ongoing.”

In announcing that the play would not go forward, the school district said: “In lieu of the planned musical, another collaborative project will provide young people and our community the opportunity to engage together while fully expressing the talents of our students.”

“A new project is currently being discussed by students, families and educators. This project will also engage the talents and skills of students previously cast,” the district said.

https://nypost.com/2018/02/07/high-school-pulls-musical-after-outcry-for-casting-white-student/

So a high school has to hope they have a female Romani student who wants to act before they can put on Hunchback of Notre Dame? Do they have to have an actual hunchback as well?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

(02-09-2018 06:33 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  Maybe instead of having a theater department, they should do away with it and spend money on education materials.

(02-09-2018 06:48 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  

(02-09-2018 06:33 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  Maybe instead of having a theater department, they should do away with it and spend money on education materials.

I don't know if I'd go as far as doing away entirely with a music department because of one isolated incident. My daughters have both done musical theater for awhile now but have stopped because the casting situation can be stressful and unfair, and they just got tired of getting the ensemble chorus parts. A lot of times it's not based on talent (IMO), but it's just personal favorites of the teachers who keep getting the best parts.

In any case, I see that the original Berlin production of this musical had a white woman in the Esmeralda part. The US version did have a black actress when it made its US debut (but not on Broadway - I think it was in California).

I also see Ithaca HS is 66 percent white, and 10 percent black. It may be tough to cast parts based on ethnicity when your school isn't that diverse to begin with. In comparison, my girls' high school is 35 percent white, 31 percent black and 21 percent hispanic, but we're one of the most diverse cities in the country.

(02-09-2018 06:48 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  

(02-09-2018 06:33 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  Maybe instead of having a theater department, they should do away with it and spend money on education materials.

I don't know if I'd go as far as doing away entirely with a music department because of one isolated incident. My daughters have both done musical theater for awhile now but have stopped because the casting situation can be stressful and unfair, and they just got tired of getting the ensemble chorus parts. A lot of times it's not based on talent (IMO), but it's just personal favorites of the teachers who keep getting the best parts.

In any case, I see that the original Berlin production of this musical had a white woman in the Esmeralda part. The US version did have a black actress when it made its US debut (but not on Broadway - I think it was in California).

I also see Ithaca HS is 66 percent white, and 10 percent black. It may be tough to cast parts based on ethnicity when your school isn't that diverse to begin with. In comparison, my girls' high school is 35 percent white, 31 percent black and 21 percent hispanic, but we're one of the most diverse cities in the country.

(02-09-2018 06:43 PM)Tulanefan32 Wrote:  I applaud the decision personally. We have to strive for more diversity and let’s face it people are sick and tired of seeing white people in every move and tv show. The fight for diversity and inclusion is the most important battle ths country has ever faced. I hope to see more stories like this.

(02-09-2018 06:43 PM)Tulanefan32 Wrote:  I applaud the decision personally. We have to strive for more diversity and let’s face it people are sick and tired of seeing white people in every move and tv show. The fight for diversity and inclusion is the most important battle ths country has ever faced. I hope to see more stories like this.

(02-09-2018 10:05 PM)SUisBigEast4ever Wrote:  

(02-09-2018 06:43 PM)Tulanefan32 Wrote:  I applaud the decision personally. We have to strive for more diversity and let’s face it people are sick and tired of seeing white people in every move and tv show. The fight for diversity and inclusion is the most important battle ths country has ever faced. I hope to see more stories like this.

I love how white people created basically everything yet black people feel entitled to everything.

White people created pretty much every single sport.

Despite that they only make up 27.4% of the NFL (and a lot that is kickers or punters). They make up only 18.3% of the NBA.

White people created cinema (TV) yet you're starting to see less and less white people in shows and movies.

Nobody is stopping black people from creating a ****** Madea movie with an almost all black cast either.

What the hell have black people even created / invented?

White people... they make everything. Black people... they take everything white people made yet still complain nonstop.

(02-09-2018 10:05 PM)SUisBigEast4ever Wrote:  

(02-09-2018 06:43 PM)Tulanefan32 Wrote:  I applaud the decision personally. We have to strive for more diversity and let’s face it people are sick and tired of seeing white people in every move and tv show. The fight for diversity and inclusion is the most important battle ths country has ever faced. I hope to see more stories like this.

I love how white people created basically everything yet black people feel entitled to everything.

White people created pretty much every single sport.

Despite that they only make up 27.4% of the NFL (and a lot that is kickers or punters). They make up only 18.3% of the NBA.

White people created cinema (TV) yet you're starting to see less and less white people in shows and movies.

Nobody is stopping black people from creating a ****** Madea movie with an almost all black cast either.

What the hell have black people even created / invented?

White people... they make everything. Black people... they take everything white people made yet still complain nonstop.

(02-09-2018 10:39 PM)Tulanefan32 Wrote:  

(02-09-2018 10:05 PM)SUisBigEast4ever Wrote:  

(02-09-2018 06:43 PM)Tulanefan32 Wrote:  I applaud the decision personally. We have to strive for more diversity and let’s face it people are sick and tired of seeing white people in every move and tv show. The fight for diversity and inclusion is the most important battle ths country has ever faced. I hope to see more stories like this.

I love how white people created basically everything yet black people feel entitled to everything.

White people created pretty much every single sport.

Despite that they only make up 27.4% of the NFL (and a lot that is kickers or punters). They make up only 18.3% of the NBA.

White people created cinema (TV) yet you're starting to see less and less white people in shows and movies.

Nobody is stopping black people from creating a ****** Madea movie with an almost all black cast either.

What the hell have black people even created / invented?

White people... they make everything. Black people... they take everything white people made yet still complain nonstop.

I will never have children

(02-09-2018 06:43 PM)Tulanefan32 Wrote:  I applaud the decision personally. We have to strive for more diversity and let’s face it people are sick and tired of seeing white people in every move and tv show. The fight for diversity and inclusion is the most important battle ths country has ever faced. I hope to see more stories like this.

(02-09-2018 06:17 PM)ark30inf Wrote:  So a high school has to hope they have a female Romani student who wants to act before they can put on Hunchback of Notre Dame?

(02-09-2018 10:39 PM)Tulanefan32 Wrote:  

(02-09-2018 10:05 PM)SUisBigEast4ever Wrote:  

(02-09-2018 06:43 PM)Tulanefan32 Wrote:  I applaud the decision personally. We have to strive for more diversity and let’s face it people are sick and tired of seeing white people in every move and tv show. The fight for diversity and inclusion is the most important battle ths country has ever faced. I hope to see more stories like this.

I love how white people created basically everything yet black people feel entitled to everything.

White people created pretty much every single sport.

Despite that they only make up 27.4% of the NFL (and a lot that is kickers or punters). They make up only 18.3% of the NBA.

White people created cinema (TV) yet you're starting to see less and less white people in shows and movies.

Nobody is stopping black people from creating a ****** Madea movie with an almost all black cast either.

What the hell have black people even created / invented?

White people... they make everything. Black people... they take everything white people made yet still complain nonstop.

Are you serious? This can’t be serious. African-Americans are responsible for everything we have in this country. They invented our music, they invented our culture as we know it. White people have done nothing but steal and copy for centuries. White people have contributed nothing but hate to this world. I apologize every day to whoever will listen for my whiteness. I will never have children with a white woman simply so i won’t bring anymore white people into this world. Get your facts straight before you spew your hate speech.

(02-09-2018 10:05 PM)SUisBigEast4ever Wrote:  

(02-09-2018 06:43 PM)Tulanefan32 Wrote:  I applaud the decision personally. We have to strive for more diversity and let’s face it people are sick and tired of seeing white people in every move and tv show. The fight for diversity and inclusion is the most important battle ths country has ever faced. I hope to see more stories like this.

I love how white people created basically everything yet black people feel entitled to everything.

White people created pretty much every single sport.

Despite that they only make up 27.4% of the NFL (and a lot that is kickers or punters). They make up only 18.3% of the NBA.

White people created cinema (TV) yet you're starting to see less and less white people in shows and movies.

Nobody is stopping black people from creating a ****** Madea movie with an almost all black cast either.

What the hell have black people even created / invented?

White people... they make everything. Black people... they take everything white people made yet still complain nonstop.