SCDS: Expanding Creative Horizons
Meira Weiss-Faratci
Issue date: 2/26/09 Section: Features
Thirty-one women are ushered to the forefront of the stage by thunderous applause; an invigorated audience springs from their seats into a standing ovation. The ear-to-ear smiles, celebratory laughter, and tears of accomplishment overwhelm the sold out theater, the audience a reflection of their exalted performers. Grasping each other's hands, the cast takes a step forward and bows. The crowd roars. The Stern College Dramatic Society's (SCDS) fall 2008 production of the musical "Once Upon a Mattress" was one small step for Stern College for Women's SCDS and one giant leap for Orthodox Jewry.
In the three years since its revival, the Stern College Dramatics Society (SCDS) has provided Stern students with an outlet to express their artistic talents in a forum which is adherent to traditional Orthodox practice. Prohibitions in the Orthodox interpretation of halakha [Jewish law] often pose obstacles for Orthodox women to participate in public dramatic performances. For example, kol isha [the prohibition of a woman to sing in front of males due to the erotic nature of her voice] only permits women to sing in front of men under very specific circumstances and shmirat negia prohibits unmarried men and women from touching. Additionally, the general practices of tzniut, modesty, oblige women to strict dress and behavioral restrictions. As a halakha-abiding institution, SCDS limits musical performances exclusively to women viewers and ensures that every detail of their productions, from their choice of directors to the content of the performances is appropriate and in accordance with halakha.
Many members of SCDS and students involved in their productions see involvement with SCDS as a rare opportunity to express their vocal, dance, and acting talents professionally. "It's [halakha] something that, as an Orthodox woman, you always have to keep in mind," says Mor Shoshana, a junior at Stern who was a member of the chorus in last year's musical, "Little Shop of Horrors." "Sometimes I just want to break out in song," she adds.
In the three years since its revival, the Stern College Dramatics Society (SCDS) has provided Stern students with an outlet to express their artistic talents in a forum which is adherent to traditional Orthodox practice. Prohibitions in the Orthodox interpretation of halakha [Jewish law] often pose obstacles for Orthodox women to participate in public dramatic performances. For example, kol isha [the prohibition of a woman to sing in front of males due to the erotic nature of her voice] only permits women to sing in front of men under very specific circumstances and shmirat negia prohibits unmarried men and women from touching. Additionally, the general practices of tzniut, modesty, oblige women to strict dress and behavioral restrictions. As a halakha-abiding institution, SCDS limits musical performances exclusively to women viewers and ensures that every detail of their productions, from their choice of directors to the content of the performances is appropriate and in accordance with halakha.
Many members of SCDS and students involved in their productions see involvement with SCDS as a rare opportunity to express their vocal, dance, and acting talents professionally. "It's [halakha] something that, as an Orthodox woman, you always have to keep in mind," says Mor Shoshana, a junior at Stern who was a member of the chorus in last year's musical, "Little Shop of Horrors." "Sometimes I just want to break out in song," she adds.
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