Not a single person is so talented that they and their abusive, inexcusable behavior cannot be replaced by someone equally talented, creative, capable and qualified--if not more--. No art is so good that it is worth the expense of someone else. No one is so talented that their abuse of others can be excused. No one is so talented that terrible behavior can be excused.  

Last, but not least: No one is so talented that it makes their insufferable attitude “worth it.” Regardless of their “talents,” we have to stop rewarding people who do bad things. I am talking about how we as a society let “talented” people get away with just about anything because they’re “talented.”  I am also talking about “talent” used as an excuse for bad attitudes or actions.

I’m tired, y’all.

Productions that call attention to mental illness like Next to Normal are widely popular right now with high schools. The same goes for Ragtime which includes themes of racism and xenophobia. And The Laramie Project has become a force for change when it comes to the LGBTQ issues. 

Another play that I feel can have the same impact is 26 Pebbles by Eric Ulloa. The play deals directly with the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting where 26 children and adults were gunned down. These 26 deaths, described by one local resident as "pebbles thrown into a pond", created ripples that captured the attention of the entire nation. 

“For a community that is usually so proactive in taking a stance against crimes and injustice, this is a terrible move.”