This is in response to "Troupe shouldn't be sponsored by Olin" (SN 10/28) regarding the In Your Face Reality Troupe and the writer being deeply offended by the opening scene.
I attended the same Case Hall showing of the Reality Troupe this student attended and was not offended at all. I didn't see anyone else that was either.
The point of the beginning scene is to grab the audience's attention and get straight to the point. Also, the scene lasted, oh, 10 seconds, at the most.
I am also surprised the writer didn't mention how he handled the "offensive" behavior.
After the show had started and they were beginning their first scene, the student stood up and walked out.
As an audience member of the program, I was more offended by his claims of the actors in the show having no morality (and insinuated, in my opinion, that the audience didn't either) than I was by any information the show offered.
In a world where sexually transmitted infections are rising, unwanted pregnancies result in unprepared teens becoming parents, broken homes and abortions, the sexually active population could use the information the In Your Face Reality Troupe provided. They not only shared information on how to practice safe sex, but also how to be in a healthy romantic relationship. I was particularly pleased they also gave alternatives to sex because a great number of young adults aren't ready for sex and shouldn't feel pressured into it. There are options, but very few people are aware of them.
I would just like to congratulate the actors participating in the Reality Troupe and thank them for being brave enough to discuss one of our society's greatest taboos as well as helping the great portion of our population that's uneducated about healthy sexual practices. I'd also like to thank Olin Health Center for helping spread information about safe sex and healthy relationships.
Michelle Fransway
history junior