Teacher fired over Legally Blonde

[dramamama611]

In Ohio, near Cincinatti (maybe the suburbs of) --

The director rec'd approval from the principal to do LB and they cast and went into rehearsals. At some point the principal shut down the production and has forced the teacher to resign, while he holds his job.

Horrific.



Not too many details, but here's the link

[ucjrdude902]

That's beyond ridiculous.

[CapnHook]

I will be calling that principal on Monday morning. I'll report back if I'm able to reach him.

[dramamama611]

I sent an email.

[Jordan Catalano]

Making kids sing that score could be considered a form a child abuse.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

This is an outrage. I emailed the principal. Anyone else who wants to send an email here is the principals email address: [e-mail]

[CapnHook]

The fired drama teacher has a YouTube channel with clips from the LEGALLY BLONDE production. The high school has also done SEUSSICAL and GREASE in the past.

http://www.youtube.com/user/sonjahansen1

[dramamama611]

^Wrong Loveland HS! That is a HS in COLORADO, this happened in OHIO.

Correct email: [e-mail]


Also: it has been stated in the comments that the production DID perform, but this happened after the fact. I believe the poster said SIX performances to standing ovations.

[CapnHook]

And here is the Drama website: http://www.lovelanddrama.org

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Oh crap. I already sent the email.

[Kelly2]

I'm with Jordan. Larry O'Keefe's music is not kind to the untrained of voice.

[dramamama611]

Oh, just sent an apology -- I'm sure he'll understand.

You can just copy the email and now send it to the right guy.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Already sent the apology, but haven't emailed the right guy. I'll do that now.

[ucjrdude902]

So they fired her AFTER the production? Which email is the correct one I'm getting confused.

[dramamama611]

It seems as if this is the run down:

Principal approved.
They rehearsed AND performed.
Someone complained (no idea how many people complained).
Principal told the Director to resign or be fired.

The address I posted is correct: [e-mail]

[CapnHook]

None of us have the complete story, so calling to "complain" is only hearing one side of the story without knowing all the facts. Let's not assume things and jump to conclusions.

When I call the principal on Monday, I am going to ask for more specifics as to what the circumstances were.

[CATSNYrevival]

What the hell is so "racy" about Legally Blonde?

[lull89]

Perhaps someone thought "Bend and Snap" was inappropriate for high schoolers to be performing? Not that I'd necessarily support such a stance, but that seems the most likely area to cause outrage.

[ucjrdude902]

And "Gay or European" isnt? Or "Seeing my name in black and white its like making love with you all night…"?

[hyperbole_and_a_half]

It's from the part of Ohio that should really be considered Northern Kentucky, so I'm guessing it was the Gay or European Reprise that did it.

[KirbyCat]

I just watched videos from the show that she posted on her Youtube page, and for a high school, there's a lot of talent. The cast seems to be having a ton of fun in her show, and I'm not surprised at all that they are standing up for her.

[SporkGoddess]

What the heck, I'm watching the videos and it seems pretty tame to me. Plus the girl playing Elle seems really talented.

[bjh2114]

Certainly the part that allows for the most raunchiness is the dance break in "Positive", but the video of that number seems pretty mild. In fact, it's more awkward than sexy.

[jarretSF]

Wow. I attended that school district from grade 1 thru 9. Fortunately for myself I transferred for my final 3 years to a nearby district with a truly amazing theatre program. Loveland was a very conservative community, and I was bullied and there were frequent gay taunts and slurs. While I know no one there now, this does not surprise me that some god fearing members of the community complained and cost this seemingly lovely drama teacher her job.

[Wildcard]

This was in Ohio? Was coach Sue Sylvester involved?

[GavestonPS]

When I taught a semester at Pepperdine, a conservative evangelical college in Malibu, the head directing professor had been banned from directing. His crime? He put some of the chorus girls in EVITA in Madonna's then-trendy "pointy bras".

Them Christians be crazy once they start to whine.