"Her Turn On The Stage - The Role Of Woman In Musical Theatre" - Task D

Reader 2 - Task D

Whilst searching for literature relevant to my practice I have chosen initially the following three books.

"Her Turn On The Stage" The Role Of Women In Musical Theatre" by Grace Barnes
"Women In American Theatre" edited by Helen Krich Chinoy and Linda Walsh Jenkins
"Theatre and Feminism" by Kim Solga

All of these books have made me see things from different perspectives with their varying theories and practices. All this was spurred by an article by Elizabeth Freestone concerning how women are represented in theatre. I started to read about the history of women in theatre and what it is to be a female performer.

This is relevant to my inquiry as to know how far we need to go, we need to know how far we have come and also to know when we may have gone too far.

"Her Turn On The Stage" was revealing to me as I wanted to see theatre and stage work from a musical performers viewpoint.

"Theatre and Feminism by Kim Solga is the story of the movement known as feminist performance theory and asks three key questions.
1 What does it mean to be a feminist at the theatre?
2  What has it meant in the Past?
3 Why does the theatre still need feminism today?

It includes case studies of plays and a discussion from British theorist Angela Mc Robb and the rise of the political movement known as neoliberalism. The book argues -

"Feminist theatre and practice allows us to understand the way all gender is constructed and re- enforced for better or worse."

Some of the subjects covered are "being versus acting", ethics, basic human rights and pushing boundaries.

"Women In American Theatre" are essays and interviews with females involved in all aspects of theatre.

Rosamond Gilder said in her 1934 landmark study publication "Enter Three Actresses" that -
"Women have risen to greater heights of achievements as actresses than in any other art."

I wonder if she would still think that now especially with all the controversy at the moment with the American Producer accused of using his position to manipulate female artists?

Another section discusses -

"If not an Actress, what?"

Well, a producer, a director, casting director or stage designer. The list is endless which brings me back to the beginning of my inquiry the study by Elizabeth Freestone and the stubborn 2:1 under representation in the theatre of male/female ratio. Why is this? Well, I intend to find out and as a female practitioner, actor, director and adjudicator this is something that does not only effect me but all of us. We really are in this together and would appreciate any feedback that is relevant to the role of females in performance arts.