Today ( Sunday) is Mothers Day in Ireland. Two days before International Women's day. The day #wakingthefeminists hold their gathering at SIPTU.
Today (Sunday) awards were handed out at the Irish Times Theatre Awards. Congrats to the winners and all who were nominated. I hope everyone had fun. Maybe even inspired. (And yay for Lian and WTF)
I looked at the list of nominees and it got me thinking of choices female actors make. And an observance I have made over the years that perplexed me.
I have written in a previous blog that child care should be provided for women during rehearsals and performances if needed. It would be a tiny expense for a Theatre and a huge financial and psychological boost for female actors. At least I imagine it would, those I have spoken to about this agree.
If one parent stays at home ( male/female parents), it's almost always the woman because as we know, even if they had the same job , the man takes home more money. Economics often dictate.
But single moms may be being excluded from Theatre completely because of lack of services.
Are Theatres actually condemning mothers from working? I will list some actors I have worked with , and please understand this is not saying if one chooses to not have a child there is anything wrong with that choice. Or having a child makes one superior in some way.This has nothing to do with reason not to have children, rather what happens to people who do have children. I am interested in a pattern, and does it say something about opportunities in our work environment.
Two of the best experiences I've had working with women were with Cherry Jones and then with Swoosie Kurtz. Neither have children. I have worked with Linda Lavin and Stockard Channing, neither have children. All have long distinguished stage careers. I looked at many others I have worked with who don't have children, and I thought, well that's anecdotal. And of course there's a myriad of reasons not to have children. Nothing to see here, keep on moving. Its just the world we live in. But is Theatre different? Is It worse for mothers?
Here is a list of women nominated for The Tony Awards this year (2015) , The Olivier Awards (2016) and last nights Irish Times Theatre Awards.
And their status pertaining to having a child as per wikipedia ( so the info may be wrong!)
Again I just wanted to see if there was a bias, and wonder if the bias has to do with Theatre being an unwelcoming place for mothers who want to work.
2015 Tony Nominations
Best Actress;
Helen Mirren , No Child.
Carey Mulligan 1 Child
Elizabeth Moss No Child
Geneva Carr No Child
Ruth Wilson No Child
Best Actress Musical;
Kristen Chenoweth No Child
Leanne Cope No Child
Beth Malone No Child
Keli O'Hara 2 Children
Cita Rivera No Child
Featured in a Play;
Annaleigh Ashford No Child
Patricia Clarkson No Child
Lydia Leonard No Child
Sarah Stiles No Child
Julie White No Child
Featured in a Musical;
Victoria Clarke 1 Child
Judy Kuhn 1 Child
Sydney Lucas ( child performer)
Ruth Ann Miles No Info
Emily Skeggs No Child
2016 Olivier Nominees
Best Actress;
Denise Gough No Child
Gemma Arterton No Child
Janet McTeer No Child
Lia Williams 1 Child
Nicole Kidman 4 Children
Musical;
Imelda Stanunton 1 Child
Laura Pitt-Pulford No Info
Natalie Dew No Child
Sophie Thomson 2 Children
Tracie Bennett No Child
featured in a Play;
Catherine Steadman No Child
Judie Dench 1 Child
Melody Grove No Child
Michele Dotrice 1 Child
featured Musical;
Amy Lennox No Child
Emma Williams No Child
Lara Pulver No Child
Preeya Kalidas No Child
Irish Times Theatre Award 2015
Director;
Garry Hynes No Child
Grace Dyas No Child
Actress ;
Derbhle Crotty No Child
Cathy Belton No Child
Aisling O'Sullivan No Child
Susan Lynch 1 Child
I apologize if I have revealed personal details against anyones wishes. I am copying what is already on the internet. Should it happen that someone who reads this wants their name removed please just ask.
I think this random sample does ask questions.
It would be interesting to compare the men who were nominated, however I'm more interested in asking the question is lack of child care stopping women from working. I think it does.
And we should change this don't you think?
Please share or comment if you wish.
