International Women's Day - I think Edmonton Holds it's Own!

Thinking about International Women's Day - mostly because Facebook and Twitter have it plastered all over the place - and realized that I feel Edmonton really holds it's own at least in theatre.  With Skirts AFire holding it's first ever herArts Festival this weekend and the Expanse Movement Arts Festival - both with exceptional involvement from women in the performance and organization (read: behind the scenes) areas - I think we are in a good place.  Would I like more female ADs of the principal theatre companies?  Probably, but I also think that we have some great movers and shakers who are women in the field and I think we have some great male ADs that recognize the talent that lives here and they do not let gender make their decisions for them.  I could be wrong in that, but I seem to see a lot of women in arts management in the city.  These are smart, sharp and invested women who know how to get things done. What makes me feel we have the right attitude it is that I'd like to think that people here in Edmonton want to work people who are good, not just people who fit a certain set of arbitrary requirements.  I am excited to see what Amy DeFelice, Tracy Carroll, Ellen Chorley, Marianne Copithorne, Maralyn Ryan, Belinda Cornish, Coralie Cairns,  Brette Gereke, Beth Graham, Mieko Ouchi, Annette Loiselle, Nicole Moeller, Nadien Chu, Joan Hawkins, Elena Porter, Rebecca Merkley, Kayla Gorman, Amanda Neufeld, Andrea Beca, Erika Noot, Barb Mah, Karen Mott, Lora Brovold, Amanda Bergen, Michelle Kennedy and many, many other great women create for Edmonton audiences. And I am excited to see what the boys do, too! It's a good place to be in.

Women continue to make less...

The other day was International Women's Day but statistics released indicated that women still make significantly less than their male counterparts. I am happy to say that although the jobs I get people to do are not compensated financially, I still look for the best person for the job regardless of their being male or female. This season, 4/7 of my Directors were female. I didn't really think about that when I was getting people in place. I am happy that it was more about the right person for the job. Next season, I have 5/6 being female. I am waiting to hear back on one position. I think it speaks to the fact that the best person for the job is not necessarily female or male. If you look at the submissions, the submitters were over-whelming female. The first season I think there were only 5 male submitters out of around 20 so that certainly impacted the selection.

I don't know if it happens as often in the paying theatre. Sure there is Marianne Copithorne, but I don't know a lot of other female directors who are directing for the semi-professional and professional theatres. I think Amanda Bergen is directing something in a semi-pro setting, but you don't really hear a lot about female directors.

A few month ago there was an article about female playwrights in the APN newsletter. I looked at a lot of things and still I only have one script in next season written by a woman. I hope to help change the availability of female written scripts! I think it is important. When we hold auditions the women outnumber men at a minimum of 3 to 1. The women outnumber men in the audiences. And yet, I hear disparagement of women's stories or stories with a woman as central figure. People write off 'chick-flicks' and 'kitchen sink dramas' (frequently with women as central figures) as less than the more glamorous male story arcs. Those stories are just as valuable and as important as stories about princes, businessmen, and soldiers and to imply that they aren't is a disservice to women.