I had no idea when I started writing about this that there would be 3 parts, but in response to a few people asking if the Creative Director ( the silent one who had not responded to the dissension in the ranks on the FB page) knew about the situation- (I was not the only one who had an issue with this) or if I had told him my feelings - I did - and confusion over which director did what, this should clarify. I had been working on an email to him but I was an emotional wreck for days after the show; I couldn't stop crying long enough to form a coherent though. He sent me an email during that time to which I was able to reply. This is how he "addressed" my concerns on 6/11/2013:
Hello Jordan,Before anything else I just wanted to say that it's been really nice having you back in and around the fold of (REDACTED), I'm happy you came back and decided to retake all the Levels!I'm very aware of the Facebook and show weirdness that happened recently. Between that and your health I'm not sure which way you are leaning towards auditioning on the 29th and would like to get that clarified!If for some reason you are not thinking of auditioning are you still interested in taking classes or doing workshops or being involved in practice groups etc. What would that look like to you?Any and all answers are ok :)Talk soon
Very friendly, zen and non-confrontational, which is true to his nature in the ten years I've known him. He stated his awareness of the issue yet did nothing to address it, apologize or try to make it better. The other interesting part - no other troupe member who left (even for years) was ever asked to audition - at least two other people who had been gone for years were allowed to just return to rehearsals and yet, I was required to take and pay for all three levels of the classes - he did give me discount since I was a previous member, so that was helpful,. But, after I raise my concerns about the troupe encouraging rape culture, now it is a requirement for me to re-audition. I would have had no/very little issue with this if it was applied to everyone equally. Fairness is important to me and I think treating people fairly is ESSENTIAL to have a successful business over the long term.
My response: (which because I was dictating and didn't know how to use it yet, It sent my first unfinished draft below before I was done)
6/19/2013The above sent before I was done, so the next email on 6/20/2013 said this:
Hey M.
Thank You! I have had a blast taking your classes and really value the atmosphere of safety you created with us throughout all of the levels. :)
So, the short answer, is no. C. made it clear in posts on the Facebook page as well as in private messages to me if it that's anyone who is offended by anything should leave because (REDACTED) wasn't going to change.
One of the reasons I brought it up is that I cried all the way home and most of the night, but while I was there working the table* no one would have thought I was bothered at all.
And now, the rest of the story (In my best Paul Harvey voice)
One of the things I want to clarify is - Yes, I was upset by the comment in the show. I don't think it was appropriate but, it's improv, it's quick & can be messy. My real issue came with the things C. posted on the page and telling me in private messages* that I was "pushing an agenda" and what I was saying was "BS". (I am no longer replying to his messages because they were personal attacks and beyond unprofessional.)After pouring my heart out in an attempt to help him understand where I was coming from - I received absolutely no response. - that was NINE MONTHS AGO. Ignoring an issue doesn't make it disappear. I kept my commitment to perform in the level 3 showcase that shortly followed - the players I met in those classes are wonderful people that I had a fabulous time playing/performing with.
I think that as a business (especially a non-profit one) the image (REDACTED) projects is important to its success. I think this is a crucial time with the troupe, especially with so many new people in classes, auditions around the corner and a theatre in the works. I think that the type of comedy you want (REDACTED) to do is a business consideration. What is done on stage in a thoughtless moment will affect people more than we will ever know - it sticks with them for years - good or bad...
It has been over nine years since I was raped and the casual mention of it in a place I thought I was safe made me cry all night. I spent the next two days actively trying to put my feelings into an email to you directly about this, but it was still too emotionally charged of a subect. I know that other survivors encounter this with comedy shows already and I felt safe endorsing (REDACTED) to those people. I no longer do.
Since 1 in 3 women in the US have been sexual assaulted (http://www.turningpointservices.org/ Sexual%20Assault%20-% 20Statistics.htm) and women are a significant part of your audience, it would be an erroneous assumption to think that I was the only one in the audience that night who wouldn't think rape was funny. Statiscally, at least 10 women in that audience are survivors as well. As a survivor myself, I acknowledge my personal bias and sensitivity on the subject. It is a bias and sensitivity shared by many, though, and most survivors don't bring these things up because of the exact response I received on the page.
So, that is the long story behind why I won't be auditioning. As for the rest, I am very interested in continuing to work with those in Level 3 and also very interested in learning more long form. I think a long form class would be great! The environment that you created in class was wonderfully fun, funny AND safe. I did not have the same experience when I went to's class which is why I didn't go back to his classes, so (as you have probably figured out) I wouldn't be interested in taking the class if he is teaching it.
Thank you so much for asking and for reading all of this. It means so much :)
The only responses I received in regard to resolving the issue were from the other director, C., in the form of direct messages to me. I have redacted the name of the Improv Troupe.
And for you to even associate (REDACTED) with rape culture PISSES me off beyond anything I will ever post in a public forum. How dare you... Really... If you wanna take that agenda and push it, take it some where else because what you dis was bull shit and I think you know it... You once thanked me for calling you on your bullshit, so I am doing it again at the sake of losing you as a friend.
Linking (REDACTED) to a rape culture was pure bullshit all the way around, and if you wantto defend it, go ahead, but I was DEEPLY offended by that. Those people, including Jon are some of the most caring people and would give the shirt of their backs. That is why I was pissed. Having a conversation is one thing, attacking is another. And I am proud, very proud of what we have done and what we are doing, but you used Pride as a bad thing. And if you knew me in any way, you know that my pride is the least of anyone's worries...Some of the examples of the resistance in the FB group from the same guy:
CC: "I know that a line was crossed with underage wife, and was quickly let go, but underage wife is something that has gone on for all of history, and still legal in many states. I guess underage wife implies sex, but not un-consensual sex."I then posted the video of the show since what was said was actually "Underage girls"
CC: "You are right, he did say underage girls... When I listed at work, I had it turned low. Well if you listen, you also here me yelling "hey hey hey..." So it was quick and it went away quickly... In the end, it was dealt with quickly and went away quickly. I did not hear a single complaint from a member of the audience and while it was a hiccup, it still was a good show over all."Thankfully another troupe member explained where I was coming from because CC's "logic" made my head want to go kablooey.
I think Jordan was pointing out that sex within marriage is not automatically sex with consent--correct me if I'm wrong there, Jordan.YEP, that was indeed my issue with condoning it because he thought he said wife. His "agreement" statement made even less sense.
CC: I agree with you and Jordan. Rape is rape no matter what the situation is, but there was nothing in that scene that made that connection even if it went to underage girls, or underage wives or underage anything...So, "Rape is rape no matter what the situation is," but he doesn't see the connection of how having sex with someone who is underage IS RAPE.. The statutory rape laws are there for a number of reasons, an underage rape victim is not legally able to give consent and - since this seems to be a level of confusion that is entirely to widespread, lets clarify for those who still do not get it:
-SEX WITHOUT CONSENT IS RAPE.
-UNDERAGE PEOPLE CAN NOT GIVE CONSENT.
(or those who are drunk or passed out or say NO -that means that they are NOT consenting and what he calls "sex" the law calls statutory rape . This law is in place for many reasons, one being to prevent and adult taking sexual advantage of a minor. )
Another rationale comes from the fact that minors are generally economically, socially, and legally unequal to adults. By making it illegal for an adult to have sex with a minor, statutory rape laws aim to give the minor some protection against adults in a position of power over the youth.[2]
Did you know? Historically a man could defend himself against statutory rape charges by proving that his victim was already sexually experienced prior to their encounter (and thus not subject to being corrupted by the defendant).[11] A requirement that the victim be "of previously chaste character" remained in effect in some U.S. states until as late as the 1990s
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