Director Speaks About of Betty’s Summer Vacation

To the Editors:

As the director of Betty’s Summer Vacation I feel I have no choice but to respond to Andrew Campbell’s letter published in last week’s Review. While his tone was nothing less than abrasive, he made some valid points, while being misinformed. I agree that theater can be dangerous if it’s as uneducated; however, my show, myself, and my cast and crew were not uneducated as he would like to have you think.
Assumptions made about my professionalism and my commitment to the show were not only uncalled for, but wrong. I intended to direct the show as Christopher Durang would have wanted it. An article published in American Theatre, “Suspending Disbelief: An Interview with the Playwright By Himself,” contains the following quote from Mr. Durang, “I exaggerate awful things further, and then I present it in a way that is funny… and for those of us who find it funny, it has to do with a very clear suspension of disbelief. It is a play, after all, with acted characters; it allows us a distance we couldn’t have in reality. To me, this distance allows me to find some rather serious topics funny.” I directed with the intention to create distance so that both the humor and the message would come through. To those of you who were not able to enjoy the show and those who were so offended they had to walk out, I’m sorry. My goal was to make the audience think, not offend, although the two often go hand in hand.
In many ways, I think my goal was achieved. I heard and heard of many conversations sparked by the play, and that made me incredibly happy. If the show affected you, go on and talk about it, but pre-planned post show discussions are ludicrous and forced forms of the dialogue that should occur naturally.
If the rape scene affected you more seriously, SAST and the SIC are two valuable, very visible organizations on this campus. I support what they do wholeheartedly, however, I consciously decided not to involve them. I am aware of the pain caused by sexual assault, but should we not show films dealing with rape because they could provide emotional triggers? Shows on this campus often deal with heavy issues, but I don’t remember seeing campus support groups getting involved with other plays.
There are some things I would have done differently. My director’s note is one of them, although I was upset that Mr. Campbell’s letter failed to quote the first sentence of it, which said, “As you watch this play, I only ask that you keep and open mind and look beyond the gratuitous violence to the deeper meaning that is intended by Christopher Durang, myself, and everyone involved with the play.” If I came off as flippant, I apologize. A warning would have also been a good idea, and in all honesty, one I never considered.
I hope we have all learned something from this. I viewed the entire process as a learning experience and came away with new knowledge about directing in general, and on this campus. I hope Mr. Campbell will think twice about writing something so presumptive and inflammatory, and I hope that the editors of the Review will never again title a letter to the editor about a play a “review.” If anyone would like to talk to me further about the play, the messages raised in it, or how they were affected, please e-mail me. I would be happy to discuss it.

–Ariel Samach
College sophomore