Where will it end?

You can object to ANY play if you get out the magnifying glass. Don't get me started on that crazy pervert and dissident Shakespeare :roll:.

IMO people who don't even have kids in the school preventing a play is them just being a killjoy - they're allowed to have an opinion, but since it doesn't apply to them or their kids, it shouldn't carry much weight.

You can object to ANY play if you get out the magnifying glass. Don't get me started on that crazy pervert and dissident Shakespeare :roll:.

IMO people who don't even have kids in the school preventing a play is them just being a killjoy - they're allowed to have an opinion, but since it doesn't apply to them or their kids, it shouldn't carry much weight.

BUT, it's their tax dollars.

Everything is technically your tax dollars.

Your tax dollars maintain the roads people use to drive to church, doesn't mean you get to kibbitz on their sermon's content!

Meanwhile, there are parents complaining (see week-before-last Walton Sun) about the "Meet You At The Pole" Christian fellowship that was held at all Walton County schools at 7:00 a.m., well before first bell.

If this were elementary school, I can maybe-halfway understand a bit of censorship. But this is high school. I don't know the content of either play, but in high school, we must start introducing our children to the world, while still under parental involvement. That way, if something happens that offends your family's personal beliefs, you can discuss it with your student. Don't wait until your children head off to the state university system...

I know that the principal and drama teacher are handling this one properly. Remember, these complaints/appeals have guildlines to be followed. Due process...

Yes they are doing a great job- but the complexity of this challenge process is time consuming and favors the people making the challenge. There is not an opportunity for the parents and students to publicly oppose these people or have a say. We are all willing to put our names and faces out there (and we have)- why are the challengers protected? Who are they? Why can't we have a face to face meeting with them? If they are truly "protecting the children", then they need to maybe talk to the children and their parents, instead of sneaking in first one challenge, then another. Ridiculous.

So basically, they will delay it until the kids just don't get a play at all. Nice. :roll:

So basically, they will delay it until the kids just don't get a play at all. Nice. :roll:

You got it. The process appears to be slow and cumbersome. While it would be fine for a book challenge, a play is different because there is a time schedule. So this process is death to a play.

I really really want these people who have challenged these plays to be "outed". If somebody is going to have such a huge effect on a large number of really great kids, they should not get to do it anonymously.

You got it. The process appears to be slow and cumbersome. While it would be fine for a book challenge, a play is different because there is a time schedule. So this process is death to a play.

I really really want these people who have challenged these plays to be "outed". If somebody is going to have such a huge effect on a large number of really great kids, they should not get to do it anonymously.

Would you consider writing a letter to the editor of your local paper? Maybe the other party has been requested to keep mum.

I hate to be the wet blanket on all this wet blanketing (ha! :lie:I love playing devil's advocate!) but what the heck is wrong with doing a play that doesn't twist up somebody's knickers? There are HUNDREDS of high school appropriate plays out there.

Don't get me wrong--I'm not saying that all the rabble-rousers are correct in censoring the heck out of plays. But I know I've sat through my share of "edgy" plays done by high school kids and thought, "Ewww. What happened to Our Town? I don't want to see teenagers doing Equus, for Pete's sake. I get squirmy watching teenagers do Grease, for that matter.

But maybe that's not what this thread is about. Maybe y'all are more p!ssed off at the censoring and bickering and pot-stirring, and I don't blame you for that. But if this is just about finding a stupid PLAY...sheesh...I could write a list of 50 appropriate plays off the top of my head right now, and I'm not even a bona fide theatre person!

And if they really believe in the merit of their complaints, why aren't they willing to come forward?

All the funding and support for our schools won't result in a good, well-rounded education that allows children to learn to think for themselves if any random person with an axe to grind can dictate what is taught. It is really a shame that some people think it would be a good thing if the children of Walton County were never exposed to a controversial idea.

These kids won't be prepared for college on so many different levels if this continues.

I hate to be the wet blanket on all this wet blanketing (ha! :lie:I love playing devil's advocate!) but what the heck is wrong with doing a play that doesn't twist up somebody's knickers? There are HUNDREDS of high school appropriate plays out there.

Don't get me wrong--I'm not saying that all the rabble-rousers are correct in censoring the heck out of plays. But I know I've sat through my share of "edgy" plays done by high school kids and thought, "Ewww. What happened to Our Town? I don't want to see teenagers doing Equus, for Pete's sake. I get squirmy watching teenagers do Grease, for that matter.

But maybe that's not what this thread is about. Maybe y'all are more p!ssed off at the censoring and bickering and pot-stirring, and I don't blame you for that. But if this is just about finding a stupid PLAY...sheesh...I could write a list of 50 appropriate plays off the top of my head right now, and I'm not even a bona fide theatre person!

Just my opinion but I don't think the kids/parents/teachers/directors would consider it a "stupid play".

All the funding and support for our schools won't result in a good, well-rounded education that allows children to learn to think for themselves if any random person with an axe to grind can dictate what is taught. It is really a shame that some people think it would be a good thing if the children of Walton County were never exposed to a controversial idea.

I get the sense that any play chosen will be objected to on some grounds - not because it is age inappropriate content - a valid objection IMO.

I went to college w/ some kids raised in a bubble environment - they had a rough time because they didn't know how to respond when challenged with new ideas. If a high school play with a little voodoo imagery or a seance is too much, wait until they have to write a paper on Mapplethorpe & censorship in a philosophy of art & beauty class.

Neither play was what would be considered "controversial" by normal thinking people standards. This is not just about finding a play. It is about the fact that we had 2 perfectly good plays, and got zinged out of left field.

Picking plays for high school is difficult due to time constraints, number of students for speaking parts, and other extra curricular obligations of both staff and students. It is now October 22. We are less than 2 months before the end of the semester. I hope we can find a play at the last minute that would meet the standards of our challenger friends, and be able to be put on before the semester ends.

I am angry about censorship, and I should be.

And if they really believe in the merit of their complaints, why aren't they willing to come forward?

All the funding and support for our schools won't result in a good, well-rounded education that allows children to learn to think for themselves if any random person with an axe to grind can dictate what is taught. It is really a shame that some people think it would be a good thing if the children of Walton County were never exposed to a controversial idea.

These kids won't be prepared for college on so many different levels if this continues.

Youhave written many wise things, but this is your best.

Neither play was what would be considered "controversial" by normal thinking people standards. This is not just about finding a play. It is about the fact that we had 2 perfectly good plays, and got zinged out of left field.

Picking plays for high school is difficult due to time constraints, number of students for speaking parts, and other extra curricular obligations of both staff and students. It is now October 22. We are less than 2 months before the end of the semester. I hope we can find a play at the last minute that would meet the standards of our challenger friends, and be able to be put on before the semester ends.

I am angry about censorship, and I should be.

While they are picking the current play, they might want to be picking the play for next semester also considering the time issues you are facing and see if it gets challenged.

By the way, for some reason i can't get the song Footloose out of my head..

Just my opinion but I don't think the kids/parents/teachers/directors would consider it a "stupid play".

No, they don't.

And if they really believe in the merit of their complaints, why aren't they willing to come forward?

All the funding and support for our schools won't result in a good, well-rounded education that allows children to learn to think for themselves if any random person with an axe to grind can dictate what is taught. It is really a shame that some people think it would be a good thing if the children of Walton County were never exposed to a controversial idea.

These kids won't be prepared for college on so many different levels if this continues.

With all due respect (and I mean that--you're always very intelligent in your posts!) the children of Walton and pretty much any county in the U.S. are bombarded with controversial ideas. It's rare to see them exposed to innocence these days.

At the risk of sounding like a total geek, have them read a little Shakespeare. If you can get them to understand it, that stuff is controversial, racy, satirical, edgy...Oscar Wilde is good for that, too.

Just my opinion but I don't think the kids/parents/teachers/directors would consider it a "stupid play".

I withdraw the "stupid" part, with an apology. I didn't mean that the play was stupid, or that the attempt to do the play is stupid. I meant that all the broohaha over it is really, really stupid.

I get the sense that any play chosen will be objected to on some grounds - not because it is age inappropriate content - a valid objection IMO.

That's what's stupid, and sad for the kids.

I went to college w/ some kids raised in a bubble environment - they had a rough time because they didn't know how to respond when challenged with new ideas. If a high school play with a little voodoo imagery or a seance is too much, wait until they have to write a paper on Mapplethorpe & censorship in a philosophy of art & beauty class.

Devil's advocacy aside, I actually agree with this, believe it or not!

Neither play was what would be considered "controversial" by normal thinking people standards. This is not just about finding a play. It is about the fact that we had 2 perfectly good plays, and got zinged out of left field.

Picking plays for high school is difficult due to time constraints, number of students for speaking parts, and other extra curricular obligations of both staff and students. It is now October 22. We are less than 2 months before the end of the semester. I hope we can find a play at the last minute that would meet the standards of our challenger friends, and be able to be put on before the semester ends.

I am angry about censorship, and I should be.

Especially if it's just for the sake of censorship. But are the dissenters so disagreeable as to knock down a neutral sort of play? Is it too late to put together something?

I think it's very cool that your boy has the opportunity to also be involved over at Seaside. In my never humble opinion, that's where the rubber meets the road--he can do the tame, funn, "Grit & Grace" thing at school and other things in community theatre. That's a good deal.

And its a double good deal that he has a Mama who will speak up!

I hope this all works out for the good of the kids.

While they are picking the current play, they might want to be picking the play for next semester also considering the time issues you are facing and see if it gets challenged.

By the way, for some reason i can't get the song Footloose out of my head..

Y'all should do that musical, just out of spite! (It's actually quite good.)

Y'all should do that musical, just out of spite! (It's actually quite good.)

My son did this musical while in middle school!!

Just have fun and announce that The Vagina Monologues is under production:funn:

Just have fun and announce that The Vagina Monologues is under production:funn:

Perhaps thinking parents and other citizens of Walton County should look into the process that is being used to deal with this; and change it.
It may be that these people have an agenda and are able to get away with it because no one is challenging them or the law or rule that lets them prevail.

When my son was in elementary school many years ago we had a school superintendent who wanted to eliminate the wonderful program he was in because he felt we were "elitist". Never mind that most of us were maturing hippies who just wanted the best education for our kids....anyway, I organized a parents group of 300 and after about six months of very hard work, we managed to save the program until every child in it had graduated elementary school...and we got rid of the Superintendent by electing a more open minded person.

Before someone yells at me: I am not suggesting this superintendent is to blame, or anyone else for that matter. I am just saying that if what is happening is truly censorship and if these complainants are not willing to make themselves known, then some pointed advocacy might be useful.

I will be happy to help make some changes if anyone is game.

Perhaps thinking parents and other citizens of Walton County should look into the process that is being used to deal with this; and change it.
It may be that these people have an agenda and are able to get away with it because no one is challenging them or the law or rule that lets them prevail.

When my son was in elementary school many years ago we had a school superintendent who wanted to eliminate the wonderful program he was in because he felt we were "elitist". Never mind that most of us were maturing hippies who just wanted the best education for our kids....anyway, I organized a parents group of 300 and after about six months of very hard work, we managed to save the program until every child in it had graduated elementary school...and we got rid of the Superintendent by electing a more open minded person.

Before someone yells at me: I am not suggesting this superintendent is to blame, or anyone else for that matter. I am just saying that if what is happening is truly censorship and if these complainants are not willing to make themselves known, then some pointed advocacy might be useful.

I will be happy to help make some changes if anyone is game.

I agree that we need to look at this challenge process, because it is only working for those making the challenge. Thanks for your offer to help!

If anyone is interested, the "Blithe Spirit" debacle is STILL in play.

The School Board DID approve the play BUT that wasn't good enough for those who wish it NOT to be performed.

The Organization in question (YES, Virginia, there IS an "Organization"..or so they say)
managed to protest THAT approval and now it is in the capable (?) hands of the District Board. As everyone has already noted, at this point, an approval is moot due to the time factor.

On another interesting note, there WAS a "Second Choice" play called "Any Number Can Die" which was presented to the principal and he approved it. YEP!
BUT
Then he read it again and decided that "it would probably get protested too" so he pre-emptively cancelled it too.
UH I guess Death is "politically incorrect" too?
Personally, I have already sent in my own suggestions such as adaptation from the early Bugs Bunny cartoons.

Problem is Elmer Fudd ALWAYS shoots the "Wascally Wabbit"

New developments on this issue...

http://story.waltonsun.com/article.display.db.php?a=2142&page=1

It appears that SWHS thinks that perhaps "Harvey" will be inoffensive.

Unless, of course, someone and their six foot white rabbit object.