Mar 10, 20232 min read

Sexual Harassment?

The phone rang and it was the production manager at SDMT and Chaunsa. She had written me an email and told me that she needed to speak with me before my shift. I knew it had something to do with her daughter; the night before I had spilled some of the “fake champagne” right in front of her daughter, despite having told her earlier that I didn’t need her help backstage. When I answered the call on Chaunsa, she said it wasn't about the incident - rather there were members of the cast saying that I was too "handsy". My mind raced as I thought about how friendly I must have been while doing quick changes for both men and women backstage, but then again, when would I have had a chance to talk to any of them? She informed me that several comments had been made and people felt uncomfortable. A wave of confusion washed over me as I tried to come up with a way to explain myself without creating more tension.

I was shocked to hear that one of my crew members had told their boss I should work on stage right. How could someone with my experience be passed over for the job? I was about to ask who it was, when I realized it must have been one of my team members. I decided to go address both of them and tell them they were doing a great job, but secretly I felt uncomfortable and frustrated.

Upon entering the theatre, I texted my stage manager for answers. All she said was it was out of her hands, and it was up to Chaunsa and the the owners of the theatre, to decide. When I spoke to Chaunsa on the phone outside the theatre, she asked me what I wanted to know. She then accused me of making comments that made her feel uncomfortable, and claimed that I had even tried to touch her hand from her shoulder down to her hip – something which would never happen in a million years!It seemed like I was being punished for something I hadn't done. Clearly, she l does not know how to read people because I am gayer or than a clutch bag on Tony night!