[Brackynn]

This morning, I received an e-mail from another actress in the production of Othello for which I'm currently in rehearsal, and I think that some of the points raised in it would make for interesting discussion.

Basically, the gist of it was that she is concerned that I am being objectified by the male cast members, several of whom are over twice my age. I am playing Desdemona -- a character who, in spite of (or perhaps because of) her impeccable chastity, is the subject of many a sexual innuendo throughout the play. Unsurprisingly, most of the cast picked up on this irony, and it has become a popular element of the production for people to make jokes about.

From the very beginning, our director predicted this and has made it clear to me on several occasions that should the joking ever make me feel uncomfortable, I simply need to alert her to the problem, and she would speak to the offending parties. The actor playing Othello (who, obviously, is one of the aforementioned "older" men) has also encouraged me to speak up immediately should our more intimate scenes together ever become too intimate, so to speak. So far, I haven't felt it necessary to bring up any issues with either of them.

The actress who sent me the e-mail (who plays Emilia) said straight up that she wouldn't stand for what I've "had to put up with" and I "shouldn't feel as if I have to be professional and shrug it off, because it is not professional conduct from them in the first place." Her concern is definitely appreciated, although I don't necessarily agree with her on where to draw the line. My stance is that if the joking ever turned explicit, was done with any sort of serious sexual intent or progressed to inappropriate physical contact, I would speak up.

However, while it's clear that she herself is a talented actess, I've noticed that she really struggles with being flirtatious or seductive in any way towards her on-stage husband, and I can't help but wonder if it's through a fear of being objectified herself. To me, that seems to be more of a hindrance than empowerment.

Has anyone else ever been on any side of a similar situation? Where do you think lines should be drawn? In productions that include sexual content, is it natural for that to affect backstage conduct, or should it be discouraged out of respect to any actors and/or actresses playing characters who are objectified by others? And so on and so forth...

[Beagle On Stage]

I think the line would need to be drawn if you were to find it problematic. Casts become close while working on a project together, and if you can't have a little fun (especially when it's a character like Desdemona where jokes are inevitable) the production is going to be a drag. Your director chose the path that I would have - allow cast interactions on the subject to be organic until they reach a point (if they do) when you feel uncomfortable. I have been on both sides of the situation and find that no harm is meant, or done. It's great that your Emilia is concerned for you, but if nothing has escalated to a point that you're bothered by it, there's really nothing to lose sleep over. And, frankly, it sounds like she's a prude and would probably have done better not to join the cast of a play with adult subject matter.

Besides, I think the only thing worse than getting objectified would be never getting objectified.

[bittenbythetheatrebug]

Honestly, I've never been in this situation, but it seems that as long as you're professional about the joking and don't mind it (and as long as it stays in a reasonable boundary), nothing needs to be done.. The minute someone crosses the line, you need to let it be known to your director, and have it dealt with from there.. it seems you're handling it fine now, though.. And that girl is probably just looking out for your best interest.. If I was in a show with someone who was getting overtly sexual jokes thrown at her all the time, I'd make sure that they were okay with it, or intervene and make sure that it doesn't go further. It seems to be more of a safety matter, anyway (and she could also possibly be a prude and feel uncomfortable around that kind of subject matter).