E-DRIVE [NEPTUNE THEATRE AND EQUITY RESPOND REGARDING RECENT "PETER PAN' E-DRIVE NOTICE]

[CAEA e-drive]

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NEPTUNE THEATRE & EQUITY RESPOND REGARDING A RECENT "PETER PAN" E-DRIVE NOTICE
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An audition notice from The Neptune Theatre was recently posted on Equity's "e-drive" for an upcoming production of "Peter Pan" which contained a reference to characters identified as "Indians." 

This is a period piece, and this language which is no longer in common usage, was taken directly from the cast of characters listed in the play.  

Equity, in keeping with its policies on diversity, supports a live performance environment that reflects the diversity of the community in which its members work.  Therefore, we will continue to screen casting descriptives in audition postings for inappropriate references to ethnicity, age and body type but cannot be responsible for the way in which a character or characters are named in any work. 

Neptune Theatre's Artistic Director, George Pothitos responds "In our recent audition notice for Peter Pan we called for "Pirates/Indians," a description taken directly from the cast list of the play.  It was an oversight on our part, not realizing how offensive that might be to some First Nations people.  I sincerely apologize."
 
He continues "I realize this can be a complicated matter and I hope that rather being seen as a divisive issue we might use this as an opportunity to educate and enlighten people." 
 
Both Neptune Theatre and Equity apologize as neither meant any offence by posting the audition notice the way it was written. 
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