Yale limits use of toy weapons in stage plays
posted at 12:22 pm on April 21, 2007 by Bryan
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In the wake of Monday’s massacre at Virginia Tech in which a student killed 32 people, Dean of Student Affairs Betty Trachtenberg has limited the use of stage weapons in theatrical productions.
Students involved in this weekend’s production of “Red Noses” said they first learned of the new rules on Thursday morning, the same day the show was slated to open. They were subsequently forced to alter many of the scenes by swapping more realistic-looking stage swords for wooden ones, a change that many students said was neither a necessary nor a useful response to the tragedy at Virginia Tech.
According to students involved in the production, Trachtenberg has banned the use of some stage weapons in all of the University’s theatrical productions. While shows will be permitted to use obviously fake plastic weapons, students said, those that hoped to stage more realistic scenes of stage violence have had to make changes to their props.
I can picture it now: West Side Story’s switchblades will be replaced with big yellow plastic pirate swords. All stage guns will look like something out of Roger Rabbit, and have a big flag that says “BANG!” when actors pull the trigger. Because, of course, people might get ideas from more realistic weapons. Or they might be traumatized by the sight of prop six-shooter.
If the theater wasn’t already dead, more moves like this would kill it.
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What’s next? Spielberg replacing guns in his movies with walkie talkies?
- The Cat
MirCat on April 21, 2007 at 12:27 PM
It will make them feel warm and fuzzy, and give them an air of moral superiority. Isn’t that all that matters anymore?
JammieWearingFool on April 21, 2007 at 12:34 PM
I guess Betty feels better now.
KelliD on April 21, 2007 at 12:34 PM
After weeks of practicing the fight choreography with the original swords, switching to different props is just plain dumb, if for no other reason than the safety factor for the actors. Somone might get hurt, once again ,from a stupid nanny decision.
bbz123 on April 21, 2007 at 12:39 PM
They should protest by coming out with toy lightsabers.
- The Cat
I mean college kids know how to protest, don’t they?
MirCat on April 21, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Related family guy moment:
Meg Griffin: I had rehearsal for Death of a Salesman. We’re not allowed to show death at school. So now at the end, we dance around with sparklers.
lorien1973 on April 21, 2007 at 1:13 PM
‘The human body has two ends on it: one to create with and one to sit on. Sometimes people get their ends reversed. When this happens they need a kick in the seat of the pants.’-Theodore Roosevelt
Limerick on April 21, 2007 at 1:31 PM
So when the students break for lunch everyone has to hold hands and walk in single file to the cafeteria. Then afterwards, everyone puts their heads down for nap time.
Discipline is Betty’s forte.
Kini on April 21, 2007 at 3:27 PM
As if the decojonification of our society wasn’t already well on its way in universities…
Entelechy on April 21, 2007 at 3:40 PM
Don’t forget cockneyfication to student Dignification!
Howzit Entelechy!
Kini on April 21, 2007 at 3:52 PM
Whew! Well thats good news. That’ll really make a huge difference. Are these the same mamby pamby’s who were crying to add more body armour on our warriors in Iraq?
sonnyspats1 on April 21, 2007 at 3:53 PM
I guess this means that Juliet dies by holding her breath.
Limerick on April 21, 2007 at 5:24 PM
I remember some grade school kids getting punished for playing “cops and robbers” and using their fingers to simulate guns. There is no end to the idiocy.
DAT60A3 on April 21, 2007 at 5:34 PM
Theodore- The good cousin
DAT60A3 on April 21, 2007 at 5:36 PM
Nice “A&OL” ref Dat!
bbz123 on April 21, 2007 at 7:25 PM
Bryan,
Was my comment that far out of line, I’ve heard Allah post worse…
Tim Burton on April 21, 2007 at 8:43 PM
Macbeth will now keep his head, so MacDuff will get a smiley face mylar balloon instead.
(Can’t have latex, God forbid!)
“…a tale told by an idiot…”
profitsbeard on April 22, 2007 at 1:27 AM