Ethics in theatre

I find the social construct of ethics a fascinating topic; it is widely discussed in the theatre industry and invites a lot of questions and opinions. In the progressive world we live in today, with ever changing opinions about what is considered right and wrong, it's difficult to forget that others have different thoughts and varying standards of what is acceptable. However, when something truly touches a nerve, it can be quite difficult to keep your opinion to yourself.

From researching, discussing or even just thinking about this topic recently, I have discovered that disagreements occur on a daily basis - some just seem to be more newsworthy than others. Depending on the source that sparks the question of ethics, it can result in a varying degree of consequences on the individual or organisation, which can often lead to abuse, hatred and diminishment. On the other hand, it can cause an influx of support and it potentially could effect change within a particular field.

These are some of the discussions and articles I have discovered recently.

https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2019/the-color-purple-writer-alice-walker-on-seyi-omooba-playing-celie-while-not-believing-in-her-right-to-be-loved-would-be-a-betrayal-of-womens-right-to-be-free/

https://www.broadway.com/buzz/181412/who-do-you-think-you-are-broadway-star-patti-lupone-takes-on-audience-texting-at-shows-for-days/

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/aug/15/outrage-at-disney-casting-jack-whitehall-to-play-a-gay-character-is-misguided

Ethical discussions can be stimulated by actions or words from anyone associated with the industry (from audience members to dressers, writers to stage crew, producers to musicians) on a range of topics, such as: sexuality, etiquette, race, gender, class, money, and many more.

What kind of ethical discussions have arisen in your field of practice, and what are your thoughts on them?

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In the second lens of the ACI3611 Module Handbook: Reflection, Ethics and Reflexivity, it states that:

Ethical Considerations: when you think about something in terms of how it has been, or can be affected, by something else. In order to imagine different way something can be affected by something else you need to involve:

• Questioning your own assumptions about the situation
• Using your imagination to be able to see more than one perspective
• Involving empathy to see more than one experience of the same thing
• Questioning what is considered the 'norm'.
• Challenging the way history might have depicted a situation

Ethical Procedures: what you do to to attempt not to have a detrimental effect on people.

The considerations stated above have been useful when reading and reviewing ethical discussions as part of the portfolio, but are also practical tools that I believe I could apply to any social interaction and to my professional development.