UK Opera Classical Music PR News one from the archives. Contact us if you need Classical Music PR ask@quitegreat.co.uk.
Following the #MeToo movement, issues in workplace discrimination towards women is a hot topic. Discrimination towards pregnant employees still manages to fall through the cracks – particularly in the performing arts.
Two-time Grammy award nominee Jennifer Rivera spoke out about the issue. Saying that ‘without standard protections in place, a non-famous performer will always fear retribution. For publicly complaining about being fired or released because of pregnancy’.
The issues identified by companies on having a pregnant cast member needs questioning. A first concern that a pregnant woman is not healthy enough to be active and perform on stage. Seems to throw back to previous eras where pregnant women were treated like pieces of breakable glass. Most obstetricians recommend that a woman stays active whilst pregnant. To bar complications in the pregnancy and if a woman is healthy before the pregnancy. Odds are she will remain healthy.
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Another concern highlighted is that any complication in the pregnancy will cause the performer to withdraw from the production. However surely a performer’s withdrawal is just as likely from such illnesses as the common head cold? Which we all know can debilitate a performance.
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And of course, the other concern is that the singer just simply won’t look right. Won’t fit the part any longer and perhaps this is the most valid argument.
Or is it the most frustrating one? Sure, if the performer is playing someone who just simply can’t be pregnant.. Maybe that of a young boy, or the young ‘pure’ leading female role. Then by all means, she can no longer play the part. However with most parts. The tricks of costume or an alteration in the character’s role are both easily accessible options.
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Founded in 2016 by Anna Ehnold-Danailov and Cassie Raine. ‘Parents and Carers in Performing Arts Campaign’ (PIPA) are taking action.. PIPA has trialled a new employment charter whereby 25 theatres have introduced free creche provisions. Beast-feeding facilities but with concentration being primarily on childcare after childbirth. The treatment of pregnant performers are still in need for attention.
Do you think that pregnancy among theatre cast members is still a matter of discrimination that needs addressing?
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