Updated: Last week’s decision by Washington College Provost Patrice DiQuinzio to cancel a student directed performance of The Foreigner, a widely performed comedy by acclaimed playwright Larry Shue, has set social media ablaze with outcries of censorship from alumni, former faculty and members of the arts community.
“Quashing a play, a book, a parade, a speech is indeed censorship,” said Skip Middleton, a 1987 graduate of the drama department at Washington College and a Kent County native. “There’s zero difference between censorship by a school board, a government, or a student body.”
In a letter to faculty and staff last week, DiQuinzio and Student Affairs Vice-President Sarah Feyerherm said the play’s depictions of Ku Klux Klan villains “In white hoods and robes” were “deeply upsetting to some.”
The administration had the final say and overruled the drama department.
Update: In a brief call after this story ran, WC President Kurt Landgraf and Communications Director Wendy Clarke denied that the decision was unilateral on the part of the administration. Clarke said the drama department also agreed that the performance should be canceled.
The performance was a senior project for the student director, who was not included in the discussion to cancel the performance.
On Tuesday, the student director and the acting department chair sent out emails to Student Affairs and Public Safety to inform the student body about the play’s “sensitive content.” The play was also advertised on the college website with a content warning, “This play features portrayals of xenophobia and prejudice.”
Middleton said the best way to handle the depictions of prejudice could have been a focus session after the performance.
Instead, the cast and crew learned at Thursday’s dress rehearsal that the public performances scheduled for Friday and Saturday would be canceled. The dress rehearsal went on but it was closed to members of the public.
DiQuinzio and Feyerherm wrote that the cancellation did not “diminish the months of hard work, collaboration, emotion, and thoughtfulness that students invested in the production—nor does it lessen all that they have learned through those efforts.”
This did not deter Middleton in his rebuke of the decision. He rattled off 20 names of alumni “making their living in a non-censored world, in the Arts, who hold the WC Community and Admin to a higher standard than this… While I don’t speak for all of them, they are most likely not impressed…”
Middleton said the decision so close to Veterans Day diminishes those whose service “is built primarily on defending the First Amendment.”
He said the play had been on the schedule for quite a while and the decision sends a bad message across the institution, the arts community and among prospective students.
“How do you tell a current student, or a prospective student, or alum, community members and the like that a play has been canceled due to the sensitivity of the message?” he said. “How do you tell the cast and their parents, that the play cannot go on? How do you spin this regionally when you’re trying to gain headcount in the student body to shore up a suffering institution?”
Attempts to reach Washington College Provost Patrice DiQuinzio went unanswered by the time this story ran.
Performances of The Foreigner on college campuses are not unusual.
University of Southern Maine
Indiana University
Virginia Tech
State College of Florida
Eastern Illinois Community College
McHenry County College
Feature image by Morgan Lewis, Flickr
George Shivers says
I am shocked at the decision of the college administration to cancel a public performance of “The Foreigner.” It seems to me that the student director had taken the necessary steps to warn the public that the play might offend some. Our nation’s president certainly doesn’t censor his racist and xenophobia comments, and they don’t have any redeeming social value, while the play does. Art should not be censored, and I hope the college administration will come to their senses and see that the play goes on.
Thomas J Mack says
Censorship at it’s greatest! An epic play as contemporary today as the day it was written. What is the purpose of a liberal arts education? What’s next? Burning copies of the script in Martha Washington Square? My condolences to all the students and staff who have worked all semester on the production. If subject matter is so objective the one might chose to not attend.
Joseph T Coyle, MD says
Wow. This is very disturbing. Conservative commentators ridicule higher education for creating cocoons that protect “snowflakes” from disagreeable topics. The provost cancels the play because it contains “sensitive content” and “features xenophobia and prejudice”. Apparently the provost has been shielded from the comments and activities of Trump, Miller and other members of the administration. What better time to discuss a play (satire) that addresses these very issues that currently challenge our Society.
BTW, the Provost’s comment that the cancellation doesn’t “diminish the months of hard work,…” strikes me as a gratuitous insult.
Ed Plaisance says
How depressing, disheartening, and demeaning for this decision to have been taken.
I was not aware of the play and did some research and viewed the “offensive scene” online.
Do we really need to be protected from seeing Klansmen in a farce where they are made fun of?
It might be worthwhile to read the Wikipedia treatment of the play https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Foreigner_(play)
Bill Arrowood says
the only question in matters of offense or correctness, is it funny?
after that, nothing else matters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=493pL_Vbtnc
next year… Springtime for Hitler
Jennifer Friedman says
I am disgusted, disappointed, and ashamed of Washington College. How can they call themselves a liberal arts school? Censoring theater, what next? Is the school going to stop students from reading Huck Finn because of the racial undertones? I am an Alum of Washington College and was very involved with the Drama Dept when I was there. Nothing like this have ever happened before. I feel for all the students that worked so hard to put the show up. To the senior that spent months and months dissecting, researching, designing, casting, and directing their thesis, know there are people behind you, you were terribly wronged, and most definitely should have been present to defend your show. Shame on you, Washington College.
Keith Thompson says
This sounds like a golden opportunity for the Garfield Center/Prince Theater to use an available weekend to stage this using the student director, crew and cast. I’m not in Chestertown much anymore, but I’d like to come down and see this now.
Steve Prentice says
Great idea!
Melinda Bookwalter says
YES!!
F. Wm. Valentino says
Of all days, on Veteran’s day, Chestertown’s veterans got to read about Washington College’s decision to cancel a play because some students might find it hurtful. This decision of administration sanctioned political correctness amounts to nothing less than suppression of the freedom of speech.
The war I fought in had its proponents and detractors, but for most of us veterans we were fighting for each other and for democratic principles. High on the list of democratic principles is the First Amendment.
What lessons are we teaching the students when a decision like this is made? College is not supposed to be a “safe space.” College should be the market place for ideas and not a nursery school.”
At a time of such division in our country, government officials continue to be tempted to silence people for their views. It’s the First Amendment which often empowers the powerless and it’s the First Amendment which protects us and helps check official abuse. The college should be explaining why the need for its protection are as urgent as ever.
We know freedom isn’t free. Currently less than one percent of the population join the military. How can a society ask people to defend this country with their lives if necessary if college students can’t sit through a play or a class because it will hurt their feelings?
The namesake of this college was an American veteran who symbolizes the very freedoms the college now ignores.
Where is the leadership?
Timothy Abbott says
My daughter was the stage manager of this censored production. I am very proud of her, the director, cast and crew of ‘The Foreigner’, and grateful for the support they have received from the Washington College theater department. The College administration, however, owes them a public and unequivocal apology and I have written and told them as much. This was an ill-conceived and cowardly act and it has exposed the cast and crew to uninformed acusations of racism from within the college community. My letter to the Provost and Dean of Students, copying the President and Chair of the Board of Governors, included the following: “What they have learned may indeed be valuable, but it is not the sort of lesson that a responsible institution of higher learning would seek to engender. They have learned that their voices do not matter, for they were not among the ‘members of the student community’ with whom you claim to have consulted. They have learned that that they may be subject to the whim of arbitrary and capricious authority. They have learned that their investment in a college-sanctioned theater production can be undone whenever a community voice objects to any of its content. They have learned that they will not be protected from the backlash that your decision has empowered.”
Clark Bjorke says
I want to add my voice to those who object to Washington College cancelling the performance of this play. Perhaps the Garfield could find a weekend free to host the play? If so, I will make sure to attend.
Tom Steele says
I’m not sure how the statement from President Landgraf is supposed to make this any better; if anything, the acquiescence of the Drama department makes this whole fiasco even more disturbing.
For over 230 years, Washington College has been a bastion of liberal arts education, “liberal” in the sense that it trains its students to seek out many differing facts and disciplines and from that, synthesize their own viewpoint. What has happened in this case is the antithesis of that ideal. In this current climate of polarization, nothing could be more important than defending that ideal.
It appears to me that when faced with an uncomfortable situation, the administration (and apparently the Drama dept.) acted not out of an over-abundance of caution, but from cowardice. When faced with such a situation, you err on the side of academic freedom, you err on the side of artistic expression. Even if there was a threat of legal action, the college apparently forgot how many lawyers call WC their alma mater, and who would give their left arm to defend such a case.
Alumni and others have been told repeatedly that there are extenuating circumstances and that we don’t have all the facts. I’m having a very difficult time coming up with a scenario that excuses any of this.
Jamie Kirkpatrick says
I am in agreement with all the comments expressing disappointment in Washington College’s decision to cancel the production of The Foreigners. I also want to express my appreciation to The Spy (Chestertown and Talbot) for bringing this travesty to our attention. Shine a light on darkness!
Skip Middleton says
Someone(s), somewhere, anonymously, decided you cannot have the option of seeing a play. That play was born 35 years ago, has played to acclaim in Maryland, and almost every state in the union. It has educated countless thousands of people on racism and xenophobia. Someone has decided “you can’t handle the truth” of the play. Someone acted before educating themselves, at the expense of the First Amendment, and has introduced censorship into the 10th oldest institution of higher learning. The student cast and crew suggested a dialogue after the opening night, after people who had not seen or read the play were educated, with the audience. The students acted with wisdom, and were met with censorship.
The Big Giant Brain acted erroneously, and has sent a message across the community that, in its infinite wisdom, they know what’s best for you, for their community. This is not a slippery slope, its wrong. Where do / should “we” go from here? The Dean and Provost who penned the letter cancelling the show need to meet with the cast and crew first, and then the community, to walk back this decision, discuss what went into it, admit their error and put on what could be the largest show in the history of the drama department, certainly for senior productions. Then let the healing happen.
Otherwise, just as in current politics, there will be a division, a gulf so large that Moses couldn’t walk across it. Otherwise we’ve become the problem. Otherwise this school will never again be a mainstay of liberal arts education. Transparency has been difficult this last decade at my favorite college, in my favorite town on the planet. This should be the beginning of an open institution, not scared to shine its light of knowledge in the too often dark world. Do the right thing Kurt & Board.
Gren Whitman says
Wow!
Shame on the College’s decision.
Matt Larrimore says
I must agree with Skip Middleton on this. The show should go on. Washington College is lucky to have had many great veterans in it’s past. I am guessing they would have had an opinion of the recently cancelled show, either for or against the content. One thing I do know for certain is this, they were smart enough to know that if the content did not suit them, they simply did not attend. Basically, they would change the channel. They knew and understood they served a country that gave the rights and freedoms to choose, even if they did not agree with the narrative. Sadly, we don’t change channels any longer, we change others. I always wondered what our society would start to look like when those that preach tolerance, began to censor themselves. I guess this might be the start.
Ann Miller says
“Sadly, we don’t change channels any longer, we change others. I always wondered what our society would start to look like when those that preach tolerance, began to censor themselves. I guess this might be the start.”
Excellent statement Mr. Larrimore.
Debbie Glebe says
So very disappointing. I thought students attend college to learn critical thinking and get exposed to the world at large. The leadership at the college doesn’t appear to be capable of critical thinking, so how can they impart that on the students? Shouldn’t someone have thought about what was offending some of the students and used that as a basis for a conversation about how to approach the issue and try to find a creative solution? Instead of the traditional Klan’s garb, what if they wore straight jackets? (Symbolizing the strangle hold narrow minded thinking has on one.) Theater is known for giving artistic license in the presentation of a production. Wouldn’t the comprise in costuming have been a better alternative to censorship? Where does this decision leave the college for future productions, books allowed in the library, etc? It seems clear that not enough brain power was employed in handling this situation.
Thomas Knight says
Why is it that every public utterance by President and Staff since Foreigner cancelled only exacerbates a disgraceful moment in the history of Washington College? The only solution to this failure of character (and the likely dwindling of freshman applications) is radical and immediate change.
This is a clarion call for the Board to meet and act, quickly and unequivocally. Find a President who understands the Constitution!
Bill Jenkins says
In the words of the play itself:
CHARLIE. ( Gently, as he touches the white robe in Catherine ‘s hand.)
David— ? Sheet? Head?
CATHERINE. (Still watching after him.) Sheet-head, that’s right.
The play is a comedy. As a comedy is legally protected speech not only as a work of art but also as satire. Shame on thin-skinned and spineless administrators to give in to intimidation rather than teaching a greater lesson to the school’s students by standing up to it. The Foreigner has been produced by professional, amateur, and educational theatre companies to great acclaim. It is a deeply profound play that speaks to the audience about many issues and through its delightful comedy makes the world a better place. Indeed, by using the introverted Charlie who ostensibly is a foreigner who doesn’t speak or understand English as a target of the Klan’s wrath it sidesteps playing the race card and makes the play more accessible in dealing with the issue of intolerance, not to mention giving it the biggest laughs. The ability of hoods and robes to conceal the antagonist’s identity is critical to the plot twist at the end. They are merely a theatrical device based on a stereotype. The only reason someone would object to this artistic depiction would be if the stereotype hit a little too close to home. If the school chooses to deny them a venue for the production I hope they can take the show on the road and find a way to do it off-campus. It deserves to be seen and the students’ hard work deserves to be recognized. As a professor of theatre myself, I am both proud of and heartbroken for these students and their supporters.
Sandra Hiortdahl says
The lesson being taught by the college administration seems to be that art must not offend people or even make them question their values. If art is prohibited from challenging belief systems, if, in the end, art is shackled by manners, shame, and fear, how is it “art”? So now, if I understand it correctly, an art performance is canceled because some who believe in the precepts of the KKK might be offended? We are worried that people who murder others because of their race might be “offended” by a play? I can’t help but wonder what former Professor of German, dear Dr. Erika Salloch, would have said about this, Dr. Salloch who had the tattoo from a German concentration camp on her wrist. On top of all of this, the administration took it upon themselves to shut down the event? I’m ashamed of you, Washington College. Your students, your faculty, your community, your world deserves better from you.
Bill Arrowood says
In the days since this story has broken, I have seen little reporting on it other than in the Spy, (KCN and Elm are thus far dormant), and the College’s reply was well worded and bureaucratically calculated. The grapevine has said that their were other extenuating circumstances, and while there is some degree of propriety to consider, the vagueries of what that might be are I think also looming.
However with all the blow back, there has been precious little from the current WC student community visible. (perhaps they are not active Spy readers). I would be encouraged by follow up reporting, getting input from the student body and the students immediately affected.
The most thoughtful response has been from fairly recent WC Drama Alum Rachel Dillaplane, on her FB page, I encourage you to read it.
(https://www.facebook.com/rachel.dilliplane)
Last September, Director Megan Stagg was quoted in the Elm, “I knew I wanted to direct a comedy, but in order for it to leave an impact on the audience it needed to have depth,” Stagg said. “The characters are multidimensional. I knew that I wanted to direct a play that had themes similar to lessons that I learned at WC. After taking time to reflect, I knew that I wanted the themes to include friendship and identity.”
I am interested to hear from the creative team and the other students how this has impacted them and the perceptions of the drama department. I am wondering how this will color the life lessons that Megan describes that she wanted to portray in this production.
Skip Middleton says
Unfortunately Rachel’s post is not public so we cannot read it.
Nancy Glass says
It is with much sadness that I have made the decision to no longer advocate for Washington College. Both of my sons attended the school, and I’ve encouraged countless numbers of young people to attend. I will however, no longer support a learning institution with an administration that promotes and engages in censorship. Canceling “The Foreigner” for fear of offending someone was appalling. The purpose of any institute of learning is to provide varying opinions and thought provoking topics to encourage dialogue. My level of disappointment in WAC is immeasurable. WC: You are doing a tremendous disservice to the young people entrusted to you for an education: there are no “safe spaces” in the real world.
Nancy E Glass says
What I find disturbing is a Provost, an educator, who clearly has no clue what they’ve censored. The Foreigner is a treatise on not judging books by their covers, and a slap at xenophobia.
Bill Murray says
The college has weak knees
Nancy Glass says
Certainly no backbone.