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Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Irene Maslanik is welcome to express opinions regarding sound/volume issues, line delivery, individual performances, and production quality, but I would like to address other statements in her “A Little Night Music” article (Sweet Briar Voice, Volume 5, No. 3).

Yes, five major roles were played by men, but to claim that this prevented “many students from getting major roles” is ludicrous. Eight Sweet Briar students were in major roles (an admirably high number, considering the typical male/female ratio in musicals). Nevertheless, should we deny students the opportunity to play complex characters, and be challenged by composers like Stephen Sondheim, merely because the characters aren’t predominately women?

As for guest artists’ professional caliber, I consider myself lucky to have worked with such actors when I was a SBC theatre minor: men who were often professional examples, teaching me how to respect my director, technical crew, and fellow actors.

By stating, “Theatre is a graduating major, so to some extent the theatre productions ought to provide experience for the major students,” I hope Ms. Maslanik isn’t suggesting only theatre majors should be cast in leading roles, regardless of appropriateness for a part. That would be a disservice to students. In theatre, no role is guaranteed – that’s why there is an audition process. What do our majors learn if they dictate casting, and then go on to face possible rejection or smaller roles when pursuing theatre after graduation?

The fact that all students have equal opportunities at major roles is an admirable trait of our theatre department. Encouraging new talent is as important as cultivating a more developed performer/technician/designer. Ideally, everyone has something to learn from each show they participate in, whether it’s their first, or ninety-ninth. That is one wonderful aspect of theatre.

Sincerely,
Shelbie B. Filson
Babcock Season & Box Office Manager, Sweet Briar College