Teen actors weigh roles, beliefs

Recently, Christina Axson-Flynn sued the University of Utah because she felt the university had discriminated against her and her religious beliefs, requiring her to use profanity in an in-class performance in a theater class. This made Pulse reporters wonder what the views of high school drama students were on the matter. Would they be comfortable reading a script that went against their personal beliefs, such as swearing?

"I do try to avoid saying and doing certain things that are offensive, not just for my sake but also for the sake of the audience. Some people can easily be offended by words and actions done by actors onstage and then lose interest. As long as I don't make a habit out of those things offstage, I don't have a serious problem with doing it onstage." -- Jesse Baldridge, senior, Murray High School

"It's not comfortable, but it's do-able." -- Matthew William Shaffer III, junior, Copper Hills High School

"You have to always remember that when you act in a play, you have to be that character, despite how different that character is from yourself." -- Ryan McLean, senior, Murray

"I would not read a script that goes against my beliefs because I do not believe in swearing, and I will not compromise my standards." -- Alyson Fullmer, junior, Copper Hills

"Going into drama, you have to assume you're going to play all sorts of roles. Some of the characters will be a lot like you, but most of the time, you're going to be out of your comfort zone. Anyone who wants to be in theater has to be able to realize that playwrights take a lot of time deciding the specific words they use, and as an actor (and by law) you need to respect that." -- Laryssa Hersom, senior, Murray

"I feel very comfortable about reading a script that goes against my personal beliefs because of the fact that it helps me broaden my horizons and helps me become a better theater student." -- Wyn Moreno, junior, Copper Hills

"If you limit yourself to roles that you only agree with, then I hope that you're happy with only two roles." -- Matt Fullmer, senior, Murray

"Any time you have to act out a part, it does become very personal because you have to become the character. If you're doing a character that says things or does things that are against your personal beliefs, it can feel very uncomfortable. I have done plays where I have been in that situation, and I have just done the part; I've also quit plays because they've been too offensive. It's just a part of theater." -- Matthew Shephard, senior, Copper Hills

Cindy Washburn is a junior at Copper Hills High School and Mallory Hill is a senior at Murray High School. If you are a high school student in Utah and you have a suggestion for a topic you would like to see addressed here, please e-mail pulse@desnews.com or write to the Deseret Morning News, attention Susan Whitney.

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