This letter was released today in response to the issues related to “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” as outlined on this blog and elsewhere.
Department of Fine & Performing Arts
Newton North High School
March 13, 2014
This letter is in response to some recent concerns surrounding Newton North’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. It is important to acknowledge up front that we recognize the concerns that have been brought forward. We appreciate the open and honest dialogue and hope that the information in this letter will help us all understand the work that has gone into this production and the teaching and learning that will continue long after this weekend.
In choosing Thoroughly Modern Millie for production we recognized early on that there are some significant challenges in regard to the stereotypes portrayed in the show. We ultimately decided to produce the work, but took deliberate steps to address these concerns directly from the onset:
- Michele Leong, English Teacher and Director of the Office Human Rights and Charlene Beh, English Teacher at Newton North have been a helpful resource to the faculty, staff,and students involved in this production. They led the cast/crew in workshops about the stereotypes portrayed in the musical. They also were instrumental in educating the staffand students on Asian Stereotypes in the media and its impact on our society. Ms. Beh also attended a rehearsal and gave helpful feedback to the production staff.
- The students in the Asian Culture Club at North had a conversation with the director,producer and department head in which they voiced some of their concerns and suggestions.
- We reached out to MTI, the company that owns the rights to Millie to see if a high school edition was available. Unfortunately, it was not.
- The program includes a Production note that addresses the concerns surrounding the stereotypes.
Adam Brown, Director of Theatre Ink, in his opening words to the audience at each production will make a statement about the stereotypes in Millie and invite the audience to read the production note found on page 49 as well as invite them to our talk back.
We do understand that we did not appreciate the magnitude of feelings that the play would elicit. Even as educated artists and teachers we also learn and grow in situations like this. Future selections will go through more scrutiny and we will look at issues with a keener eye. We do apologize for the impact that this has caused and may cause members of our community. Even with these steps in place, we acknowledge that for some it may not be enough. It is our sincere hope that this production is one of both artistic integrity and one where significant learning has occurred. It certainly was never and is never our intent to offend members of our school or Newton community.
Theatre Ink prides itself on being “Newton North’s Teaching and Working Theatre.” The process of producing this show, and the thoughtful and sometimes challenging dialogue it has generated among staff, students, and the broader Newton community, exemplifies the program’s commitment to explore, critique, and interpret how the human experience is conveyed throughthe arts. As the curtain goes up tonight we are bringing the constructive conversation and learning process that our school community has engaged in over these past few months to an audience of students, parents, and community members. We hope that you will choose to participate in it with the same appetite for learning that we have seen in our students – a genuine desire to understand our differences, our history, and ourselves.
On Monday night, March 17th, we will hold a “Talk Back” to further learn and share perspectives surrounding the arts and stereotypes, especially those presented in Millie. All are welcome to attend. The meeting will be held in Newton North High School’s Little Theatre at 7:00PM. We hope you will join us.
Sincerely, Todd R. Young Chair, NNHS FPA Department
Adam Brown Director, Theatre Ink
Jennifer Price Principal, NNHS
I highly encourage the community to participate in the “Talk Back” on Monday at NNHS Small Theater at 7p. Parking is often available along Hull St or in the Lowell St Parking lot.
In the world of humor, we all have to learn to laugh at ourselves … but there is a fine line between humor that shines insight into our differences, and humor that demeans and shines a light on our ignorance.
I don’t believe in hiding from these differences, or hiding from what I don’t know and may not understand.
In America, there are many advantages to our geography that has allowed us to prosper as a country, as we have over the past couple of hundred of years … however, a notable DISadvantage of our geography is that we have been isolated from exposure to cultural differences and have a more limited understanding of global traditions at a more day to day practical level. With the rapid growth of technology and travel, our geography becomes less and less of an excuse. Now we just need to get into the habit of understanding and remembering that we share this world with a LOT of other people, cultures and traditions.
While it is admirable to want to avoid offense, one can not go around as if walking on glass or eggshells, constantly afraid of offending one group of people or another. Best is to be open to get to know people.
Everywhere else in the world, people have demonstrated a greater ability to digest and embrace more than one culture, more than one language and more than one perspective … we can do that too. Let’s learn more about each other.
“Everywhere else in the world, people have demonstrated a greater ability to digest and embrace more than one culture, more than one language and more than one perspective … we can do that too. Let’s learn more about each other.”
Actually, this is just plain wrong. Most countries are much less culturally and ethnically diverse than the US. I’ve seen this when visiting Europe, Japan, Australia and when living abroad. The levels of racism, antisemitism, etc. are much higher in many if not most parts of the world. Yes, we have a ways to go, but we are more accepting of immigrants than most countries (sad as that may be), especially in urban areas.
Is Newton really going to open a comical production with a lecture on what’s not funny? That in itself is hilarious! (I did try to do some internet searches to see what the issues were. Try it yourself — there isn’t much discussion out there)
Hoss, both Brookline HS and Oliver Ames HS in Easton have done this production recently and neither community found any “issues.” Sometimes Newton embarrasses and amazes me. I am going to see this show tonight and can’t wait to see the talented kids of ThInk! Thanks,Mr. Young, Principal Price, and Brown for your excellent response to the community’s concerns.
@Native Newtonian raises an interesting point. If no one raises a stink, does not mean there was no issue?
I have often heard this debate in various Asian community discussions. Have we, Asian Americans, set ourselves up disadvantageously in turning the other cheek and overcoming obstacles IN SPITE of adversity? Should we speak up more? I am rather proud of being able to accomplish what I have accomplished IN SPITE of prejudice and some rather blatant demonstrations of ignorance, but I am also sensitive to those whose obstacles were greater than mine, to those less gregarious than I and who have felt relegated to a position of mud mat. So, speaking out does have its purposes. However, I still advocate moderation. I prefer not to see things resort to lawsuits and Civic Actions to get people’s attention. It would be nice if an issue is raised, it gets the attention it deserves and the examination it is due. Must the issue reach that level of contention to be deemed “valid” as an issue?
I appreciate that NNHS took steps to be more sensitive about how this musical would impact the community given its portrayal of Chinese. I know there are other members of the APA community who feel that they have not done enough.
I will see for myself tonight, the results of those steps. I do encourage others to do the same and to not simply speculate based on others’ comments. I sat through a 2 hr youtube taping of the Broadway production before I began expressing my opinions.
To me, the remaining sticking point is that the APA community at the high school (the Asian Students club and the teachers of Asian descent at the school) felt they had to raise the issue before the school took action or had any reaction. If the minority group involved were Jewish, Islamic or African American … how would this have been handled?
As Pixar strove to consult the Jewish Community as well as the Christian Community when they put together “Prince of Egypt”, so too should the APA community get the respect of pro-active consultation.
The point is not to CEASE portrayals of Asians in theatre productions or even to limit/control the extent to which Asians are portrayed, but to take pro-active steps to educate and be aware of issues so that steps could be taken. The APA community, while still minority, is pretty significant in Newton. It would not have been hard to have preemptively sought consultation.
Be pro-active, no reactive.
Greer Tan Swiston — Not sure what “be pro-active, no reactive” means other than to react ahead of a viewing. Did you see this production as you intended?
Greer – That’s exactly what struck me immediately – I can’t imagine those in charge not having qualms about producing a show involving characters in blackface or stereotyped caricatures of Blacks, Jews or Muslims. So why were they so insensitive when it came to Asians?
Native Newtonian – while there may have been no issues raised in those two towns, Newton is certainly not the first place to have controversy over this. If you read the original post on Village14, you can follow links to an article that discusses reactions when a NYC private school put on this show.
@Hoss … sorry, missed a “t” … I meant to say, “Be proactive, not reactive” … by that, I meant that it would have been nice if the school had proactively approached the Asian American community at NNHS, or at least the organized members (the teachers and the Asian Culture Club) and broached the topic rather than waiting until the APA community raised concerns. They were aware that there was the potential for offense, why not proactively discuss with the community for ideas on how to minimize it? That said, I am glad they DID react and I felt the reaction was good and the end result was a great production that I found VERY enjoyable.
I *did* go see the production tonight and it was very well done. I felt the issues regarding Asian stereotypes were very well managed. The Director very respectfully addressed the issue of racial stereotypes and directed the audience to the program book. The students were very talented and the show was very funny and it was a great show.
My own personal desire that there was a learning moment regarding the very real issue of human trafficking was not brought up. Even now, on TV shows, there are often “info spots” either before or after a show that would highlight a sensitive or controversial point that would appear in the show and direct the audience somewhere for more information. Human trafficking of young women, predominantly from Far East Asian countries, continues to be a problem here in the US, including here in Massachusetts.
However, the issue of portrayal of Asian stereotypes was fairly well addressed. Yes, I did notice that the spoken Chinese and the sung Chinese were in different dialects, but I think that can be forgiven. I spoke with a couple other members of the audience who also enjoyed the show.
Again, I encourage people to share their thoughts and views at the “Talk Back” on Monday night. I also encourage people to see the show so as to have direct knowledge of which you speak.