Drama Teacher Resigns in Play Flap

[BJ_M]

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - A central Missouri high school drama teacher whose spring play was canceled after complaints about tawdry content in one of her previous productions will resign rather than face a possible firing.

"It became too much to not be able to speak my mind or defend my students without fear or retribution," said Fulton High School teacher Wendy DeVore.

DeVore's students were to perform Arthur Miller's "The Crucible," a drama set during the 17th Century Salem witch trials.

But after a handful of Callaway Christian Church members complained about scenes in the fall musical "Grease" that showed teens smoking, drinking and kissing, Superintendent Mark Enderle told DeVore to find a more family-friendly substitute.

DeVore chose Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," a classic romantic comedy with its own dicey subject matter, including suicide, rape and losing one's virginity.

DeVore, 31, a six-year veteran teacher, said administrators told her that her annual contract might not be renewed.

"Maybe I need to find a school that's a better match," she said.

Both Enderle and the high school principal declined to discuss DeVore's resignation, citing privacy concerns. The resignation must still be approved by the school board.

Publicity over the drama debate, including a front-page story in The New York Times, has cast an unflattering light on Fulton as an intolerant small town, several of DeVore's colleagues said.

"We have become a laughingstock," teacher Paula Fessler told The Fulton Sun.

[AlecWest]

"We have become a laughingstock," teacher Paula Fessler told The Fulton Sun.

Ms. Fessler is right on the money ... allowing one church in the town to decide that Shakespeare is "unacceptible" to their morality. At this point, I think the school board has no alternative but to let DeVore out of her contract as gracefully (and quickly) as possible ... in the hopes the story will just fade away as a national news item.

And (evil grin), I hope the next teacher suggests that students re-create the memorable classic screenplay, "Rocky Horror Picture Show." Hehe, either the school will have to cancel all future public plays or suffer so much future embarrassment that the town "flock" will have to lighten up.

Anyhoo, if I said anymore, I'd be treading very close to the "religion" boundary ... so I'll quit while I'm ahead.

[thecoalman]

Pretty smart, picking a Shakespere play. On one hand the material is going to be juat s risque if not more and on the other if someone complains they are they are essentially bashing Shakespeare.

[AlecWest]

Pretty smart, picking a Shakespere play. On one hand the material is going to be juat s risque if not more and on the other if someone complains they are they are essentially bashing Shakespeare.

An astute observation. I wouldn't doubt that DeVore "planned" this when the school said NO to "The Crucible." She knew that it would put the school (and this one church) in the hot seat ... and all she had to do was sit back and let them hang themselves (grin). I have no doubt that DeVore will find another teaching job in any number of schools.

The puzzling thing about this story is the church connection. According to the story, the pressure came from the Callaway Christian Church. There are 12,000 people in Fulton, Missouri. And a simple Google search turned up dozens of churches in the area. Why, then, does this one church have so much power ... and what did parishioners in the other churches have to say about the Fulton High School flap???

BTW, here's a telling sign. Visit the website of Fulton High School:

http://www.fulton.k12.mo.us/~fhs/

Down below, you'll see a link to their "drama" department. Click on it and see what comes up.

[BJ_M]

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[AlecWest]

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Yup ... that's what it said. The drama department page was deleted. FWIW, on another page, it says Ms. DeVore's class is being subbed while she attends a (ahem) conference.

[drjtech]

They ought to make a movie about this.

Wait a minute......They already did: Porky's II: The Next Day

When the students of Angel Beach High decide to stage "An Evening With Shakespeare," their efforts are threatened by Miss Balbricker, who views the works of Shakespeare as obscene. She enlists the help of Reverend Bubba Flavel, a religious fanatic who brings along his flock of followers to pressure the school into shutting down the production. When they succeed with the help of corrupt city officials seeking re-election, the gang don't get mad... they get even!

-drj

[northcat_8]

One of our elementary schools use to have a "Halloween Carnival", had it for over 30 years, it was a lot of fun. One parent complained that halloween was the devil's holiday, and all of a sudden it was renamed "The Fall Carnival" and no one was allowed to be in costume and 2 years later there was no carnival at all for lack of participation.

While I am not going to jump on my soapbox about the paradoxical practices that are common routine in 99% of America's high schools, I will say that it only takes a few parents to "wag the dog".

In today's schools too many administrators bend to the parents. The content of the school play is first and foremost a "drama teacher" decision, must be approved by the administration, which...I would assume they would have checked since this teacher had already had complaints levied against her....students involved in the play have to have permission slips signed by parents in order to participate. Once all of those things done...those parents who do not like the play, the subject matter or acting can STFU and stay home and the administration SHOULD have said that.

[thecoalman]

When the students of Angel Beach High decide to stage "An Evening With Shakespeare," their efforts are threatened by Miss Balbricker, who views the works of Shakespeare as obscene. She enlists the help of Reverend Bubba Flavel, a religious fanatic who brings along his flock of followers to pressure the school into shutting down the production. When they succeed with the help of corrupt city officials seeking re-election, the gang don't get mad... they get even!

-drj

"Get the Flock out of here", I'll be darned, life imitating art.

<runs out to rent the Porky's trilogy>

[smearbrick1]

I'd like to see how many people in the church congregation actually had students attending the school. I would also like to see how many members of that congregation have ever seen "Grease" or the school's performance of it. That would probably interesting. My guess: None. Maybe 2.

[northcat_8]

I'd like to see how many people in the church congregation actually had students attending the school. I would also like to see how many members of that congregation have ever seen "Grease" or the school's performance of it. That would probably interesting. My guess: None. Maybe 2.

I agree, just people ready to bitch..just waiting on a cause.

[MackemX]

what a drama! :P

[MackemX]

I'd like to see how many people in the church congregation actually had students attending the school. I would also like to see how many members of that congregation have ever seen "Grease" or the school's performance of it. That would probably interesting. My guess: None. Maybe 2.

I agree, just people ready to bitch..just waiting on a cause.

that happens everywhere though doesn't it Northcat? I see a few behind us right now just waiting on a cause

p.s. oh wait, one of those is just my shadow but I don't know about the other shadows I can see

[northcat_8]

I don't think that other shadow is mine...it's black.

ah...I crack myself up

[northcat_8]

Hmmm, it would appear I too am pretty bored....perhaps some archivical browsing is in order....

[Doramius]

My mother was on the school board in my home town for about 27 years. I was on the same school board for 3 years (I started 4 years after my mom retired from the school board and became the town clerk) until I moved out west. Our schools came up against the same pressure. They were public schools. We told them that the school is a state entity, and that it is separate from religous views. However, plays and musicals are a re-creation of an artist's work. With that the school will remove or disallow anything that the board finds publicly illegal (nude images, use of real firearms[discharging blanks or live rounds], etc.). The board will often ask that it be a part of the curriculum material, but it is not always required.

It is not ment to offend, but is for entertainment. If you do not wish to participate or view it, you do not have to. However, no parent, religion, or other enterprise entity has a right to impose their belief onto a public school. In the case above, it would be allowing a religion to make a decision over a school, even if it seems like a 3rd party request more than it is a demand.

I would have looked into the source of who is complaining and ask if the parent would like to choose an alternative class or activity to participate in. I highly doubt the child is held at gunpoint to be a part of the play.

There's so much wrong in this situation that the school should gracefully seek a settlement or prepare for a big lawsuit.

[doppletwo]

They ought to make a movie about this.

Wait a minute......They already did: Porky's II: The Next Day

When the students of Angel Beach High decide to stage "An Evening With Shakespeare," their efforts are threatened by Miss Balbricker, who views the works of Shakespeare as obscene. She enlists the help of Reverend Bubba Flavel, a religious fanatic who brings along his flock of followers to pressure the school into shutting down the production. When they succeed with the help of corrupt city officials seeking re-election, the gang don't get mad... they get even!

-drj

I thought the same thing.



I was actually questioning whether this was a true story. I mean Porky's takes place in the 1950's and this millenium.

[lordsmurf]

I wonder if the Callaway Christian Church members would rather have something re-enacted from their religious books. Those are just as full of death, incest, intolerance, bigotry, rape, etc. Is that what qualifies as "family-friendly" these days? As long as the local church likes it, it's less bad? Shakespeare is weak compared to the mish-mash from various authors that were crammed into that archaic text.

[Jester700]

I wonder if the Callaway Christian Church members would rather have something re-enacted from their religious books. Those are just as full of death, incest, intolerance, bigotry, rape, etc. Is that what qualifies as "family-friendly" these days? As long as the local church likes it, it's less bad? Shakespeare is weak compared to the mish-mash from various authors that were crammed into that archaic text.

Excellent point. I would love to see a play done about "the bible's greatest misses" with the most vile and stupid stories from the book. They'd have to put the chapter & verse in in the program as a reference because I bet half the christians in the audience wouldn't even believe the stuff was in there.

[Noahtuck]

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Yup ... that's what it said. The drama department page was deleted. FWIW, on another page, it says Ms. DeVore's class is being subbed while she attends a (ahem) conference.

It works now....



http://www.fulton.k12.mo.us/~fhs/drama/home.htm

http://www.fulton.k12.mo.us/~fhs/drama/aboutme.htm

[AlecWest]

Cute ... and impressive credentials for her age. Fulton High School is going to lose a valuable asset, all because a bunch of stuck-up sticky-beaks have influence that, I suspect, goes beyond their numbers.

Shakespeare is weak compared to the mish-mash from various authors that were crammed into that archaic text.

No kidding. Instead of Shakespeare, she should have told the school board she was going to have students do a dramatic re-enactment of the "Song of Solomon." It would be interesting to see the Callaway Christian Church protest (grin). Calling Shakespeare obscene is one thing. Calling the Holy Bible obscene would be a bit trickier.

[BJ_M]

ok - this topic has become to religious in tone ...

please - no religion ....

or the thread will be closed ...

[AlecWest]

ok - this topic has become to religious in tone ...

The 4th paragraph of the first post opened Pandora's box. It's one of those topics that can't avoid religious discussion since, if what happened in the 4th paragraph didn't happen, there wouldn't have been a news story to begin with. Might be a good idea to close it anyway since religion is so central to the topic.

[AlecWest]

In the case above, it would be allowing a religion to make a decision over a school, even if it seems like a 3rd party request more than it is a demand.

Actually, that's uncertain. As mentioned earlier, there are dozens of churches in and around Fulton, MO. But the article is specific in complaints originating from one particular church (as opposed to a whole "religion"). That's what puzzles me. I'm highly tempted to email Ms. DeVore and ask her what the "other" churches have to say about this.

There is a possibility, in light of DeVore's decision to resign (and public relations pressure), that the school may have a "change of heart" ... especially if other members of the community weigh in on DeVore's side ... saying they WANT Shakespeare in their school's drama curriculum. If only one wheel "squeaks," it'll get the grease. But if a whole bunch of wheels start squeaking in the other direction, my guess is that the school will choose to appease the "consensus."