The only women who have ever appeared in a Hasty Pudding Theatricals production are men who have donned fake breasts, wigs and pantyhose.
Unless one counts the time in 1955 when costumer Lucy B. Barry '55 was permitted to provide a "blood curdling scream" for the show, women have been barred from performing in the Pudding since its inception 151 years ago. Women have tried to be cast in the nationally recognized show--Winsome Brown '95 dressed herself up as "Nicholas Pettibone" in 1993 to audition for a part--to no avail.
The all-male show is a Harvard tradition, and thousands flock to see the drag burlesque each year. Some pay $27 a ticket for the chance to see an original, full-scale musical featuring undergraduate men in tights.
The format of the show, which has poked fun at ethnic groups, the disabled and the elderly, also offends some; one cast member quit this year in protest of the show's content. The discrimination of women drew editorial page submissions to The Crimson this December, raising the annual murmurs about the show's gender imbalance a few decibels.
The company met to discuss the controversy in early January, but the "vast majority of [people] affirmed the status quo," according to Carolyn A. Cassidy '99, co-producer of this year's show, "I Get No Kick From Campaign."
So, change is not imminent--especially since the College administration officially endorses the organization and the Pudding's governing board refuses to budge. While other Ivy League theatricals have chosen the co-ed route, at Harvard tradition continues to trump equity.
Chance to Shine
The oldest dramatic organization in the nation traditionally garners much Besides being one of the most nationallyvisible Harvard student organizations, the Puddingprovides an unparalleled campus opportunity forstudents to work with a professional director,choreographer, costume, set and lightingdesigners. With a yearly budget of about $300,000,costumes that cost tens of thousands of dollars,and a 40-show run that takes the company to NewYork and Bermuda, the Pudding show can be anactor's dream come true. Media attention, thechance to perform before national celebrities, afullscale show--nowhere else at Harvard does thishappen year after year. In a Crimson op-ed titled "Time to Put Women inDrag, Too," Matthew Johnson '99-'00 questioned thebasis on which the Pudding draws its fame:"Harvard's hairy-chested heroines," as a 1986 bookdescribes. Johnson wrote that "denying women theopportunity to audition for the Pudding deniesthem access to a valuable opportunity." Johnsonsaid his conversations with female actors oncampus compelled him not to audition, writing"most who object remain tight-lipped and lookelsewhere--to less-funded, more amateurproductions--for creative fulfillment." Jessica K. Jackson '99, former president of theHarvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club (HRDC), says "it'sabout time" the Pudding allow women in its cast. "They would be losing the title ofall male-drag-show, and gaining another dimensionthat would be just as effective," Jackson says. There are other opportunities for women to workwith professional directors on campus, includingHRDC's Visiting Director Project (VDP). However,as Sara Yellen '00 noted in a December letter toThe Crimson, the VDP "is not privy to the enormousbudget that the Hasty Pudding is so privileged toenjoy," and it only takes to the stage once everyfour semesters. Even though there are shows in which women caninteract with professionals, Jackson still saysthe Pudding is an opportunity that women are beingdenied. However, she does not blame theorganization, but puts the responsibility onfemale actors instead. "It is wrong, but the fact remains that thePudding can cast whomever they choose," Jacksonwrote in an email message. "What is disappointingis that the women in the theatre community...havenot put up a fight. Personally, I'm sorry that Inever raised hell about it." Read more in NewsRecommended Articles
