LETTERS AND E-MAILS
Play's integrity defended
To the editor:
I am writing in response to the letter ["Streetcar" Offensive, Mar. 4] from Tanika James, a prospective Santa Clara graduate student, regarding her disappointment with my production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams. Ã
While I am pleased that she attended and that she thought the acting was good, I must take issue with some of her comments.Ã Although I will not dignify her distasteful depiction of one of my cast members with a response, I will address the greater issue at stake. Ms. James's letter should not have been printed, by her own logic. Undoubtedly, her intention in writing it was to elicit debate, as was my choice to direct a play such as "A Streetcar Named Desire." Ã In recommending that I "amend" scenes she found offensive, Ms. James is requesting nothing short of censorship. Although she did not find the rape scene offensive, should I have also extracted it from the play? Ã Spousal abuse is surely outrageous, so should I have taken that out of the play as well?
If à Ms. James is planning on coming to Santa Clara, I trust she will endorse a university environment in which discussion of controversial issues must take place. All students should feel comfortable in our midst; however, uncomfortable ideas must be encountered and discussed, not amended and suppressed.
Elizabeth Dale
Director, "A Streetcar Named Desire"