Kathryn Pierroz
Dear editor:
I am writing in response to Ms. Batiuk’s letter printed on Dec. 29.
Theatre, like all great art forms, is a matter of personal taste. If you do not have a liking for a certain piece of art, you have the option to not view it or to walk away.
We live in an age where it is easy to retrieve information about something before seeing it. In fact, this very paper ran a lengthy article detailing the subject matter in “The Ecstasy of Rita Joe.”
If one chooses not to learn more about what one is seeing, and chooses to stay the entire length of a play they personally take issue with, then one should not be so publicly critical of the production.
This was an extracurricular activity at a “public” high school, that no one was forced to see or be a part of.
As Canadians, we have a lot of things to be proud of. One of these things is our unique arts culture.
Canadian theatre is recognized around the world as being distinctive. Our plays depict our lives, our regions, and yes, even our language. “The Ecstasy of Rita Joe” is no exception, as it was one of the first plays to address issues relating to aboriginal peoples, and it holds an important place in the history of modern Canadian theatre.
I always will be thankful for teachers like Mrs. Kunkel, who exposed me to drama on an educational level, not just “let’s do a family fun play.” From her I gained an appreciation for not only theatre, but also for Canadian culture via theatre.
In choosing a play like “The Ecstasy of Rita Joe,” I have no doubt that everyone involved in producing that play learned valuable lessons about its context, its playwright, and its culture, and why it is in virtually every Theatre History textbook on the planet.
One only can hope the audience learned something, as well.
If I were a parent, having my children exposed to a play so deeply-rooted in Canadian culture would far outweigh a few “God and Jesus” phrases within the text.
If parents instill good values in their children, their sense of morality will last far beyond what they hear on stage or in everyday life.
I applaud (a standing ovation if you will) the FFHS staff and administration, the students, and everyone involved in tackling such an important play.
Language is only words, but receiving an education through the arts lasts a lifetime.
(Signed),
Kathryn Pierroz
Theatrical
Management
Consultant
New York, N.Y.
