The Impact of Gender Norms on Women in Theatre throughout History

  How gender norms have evolved into what they are today show how society and representation in theater transformed over time. Being able to show the differences between early theater history and contemporary theater will further prove the effect gender norms truly have on women in the theater industry.      In various productions, female/feminine characters had to have submissive and nurturing traits. They cared for others close around them more than theirselves (husband/children/etc). While on the other hand, male/masculine characters had to have dominant and bold traits. These roles kept in touch of the stereotypical gender norms at the time as well. However, contemporary theater holds contrary. Modern playwrights and their productions showcase female/feminine characters as complex who challenge traditional gender roles. They show the opposite of what they were once forced to be: strong, independent, and assertive. We also now see male/masculine characters showcas...

  Various women from different backgrounds challenged societal stereotypes which reshaped the theater industry as we know today. There are still few aspects that might need to be improved, nonetheless, their contributions have made a lasting impact. These powerful figures have been received differently, some with resistance but some with acceptance.       Charlotte Cushman (1816-1876) was an American actress, known for her roles made for women and men. She is most known for performing as Romeo and later Hamlet, which were made for men. She portrayed these characters phenomenally with depth. Both characters are complex in their respective ways in which she captured. This defied the gender norms of the time by showing that women are more than capable of performing any role they are suited for, whether the gender is different from their own. Despite her performances, Cushman was still overlooked because of her being a woman. Gender norms have such an immense impact...

  Various social factors such as race, class, and/or etc intertwined with gender norms have an immense impact on theater history.       As time passed and women were allowed to perform, gender norms along with class played a major role in what they were allowed to perform in. Women in higher classes still had certain expectations when playing certain roles. They had to show respect and morality to other male actors or higher ups no matter the circumstance. These traits shown in theater show up in societal gender norms of the higher/middle classes as well. Disrespecting and not catering to men's needs are shown as a parallel in the roles women were allowed to play and what women actually went through of the time. According to Ann M. Mazur, This scene in midst of home theatrical "Romantic Caroline" draws attention to Caroline's feelings of inadequacy as a wife—precisely speaking, how living as a "true wife" means being "a drudge, a helpmate" rather t...

      In this post, I dive deeper into what women faced during this time in the theatre industry. Their experiences differ from person to person, however, remain similar at the same time. As a whole, theater is supposed to be a safe space for anyone to be included, regardless of gender, race, class, sexuality, or etc. However, this was disregarded throughout history with the emphasis on the placeholder of gender norms.      Jean E. Howard describes in an oral history interview, the exclusion of the roles women were allowed to audition for were prominent. “Women could not act on the public stage in England until the Restoration, and so female roles in Shakespeare’s plays were performed by young boys.” This further proves that no matter how much a woman fit perfectly into a role, they were never enough to be casted. The stereotypical roles held in society at the time set a forever lasting impact on women in theater. Even while being barred from acting in any ...