Sexual Identity in Theatre

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Recommended: Musicals and gender representation

As an aspiring musical theater performer, I have noticed many dynamics between people of both genders and various sexual identities. While the musical theater world and its participants are generally extremely liberal, it is fascinating to observe gender relations in the context of rehearsing for a show. As reflected in the readings "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich and "Women and Men" from "Nisa" by Marjorie Shostak, it is clear that men and women are not treated equally in most facets of life. However, people of all genders and sexual identities are treated the same in the world of musical theater since. Perhaps this is because there is more sexual diversity in the field and in general, males, especially heterosexual ones, are the minority in terms of population both on stage and on the production staff. In "Nickel and Dimed," Ehrenreich wrote about her experiences as a single, independent female trying to get by on her own without any special set of skills. Female musical theater performers (and male musical theater performers) do need to have a special set of skills ...

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