When I took over from Stan [former Center Stage artistic director Stan Wojewodski Jr.], the Village Voice said this theater was moving from a "dry" director to a "moist' director.
That was just how it was done. None of us organized. We just thought, "How do you skirt this?"
Alsop:: There are still only a handful of women on the major podiums of the world. That has not changed in 30 years.
Was the resistance expressed by the musicians when you were appointed music director a form of sexism?
Alsop:: I don't know. I honestly don't know. I never felt that from the musicians, but who knows what subliminally affects us? I'm sure it was a factor, but I don't think it was a major factor. There are other issues in my world about accessibility. If you're too accessible, you can't possibly be a great artist. That's one thing that triggered a response from the musicians. I'm very ... what you see is what you get. Sometimes for artists, that isn't mystical enough.
Bolger:: Museums might be an easier path than symphonies and theaters. There have been really strong women in museums, always. At the BMA, the first director was a woman, and most of our major donors have been women, starting with the Cone sisters. And even in the field, at the Art Museum Directors Association, we have always had a very strong women's committee, that meets very enthusiastically.
Now, the men would kind of like to get in on it. The great moment will be when there are so many of us that the men will have a men's meeting. [The group laughs.]
What I find difficult is that subliminally, people do treat women differently from men. It's hard not to respond to it sometimes, because it's hurtful.
For instance?
Bolger:: I don't think there [are] any men [male directors] whose donors comment on their lipstick.
What specifically was said?
Bolger:: That I should wear more of it.
Lewis:: Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.
Alsop: : It's interesting listening to us talking and censoring my desire to jump in, because of the fear of sounding negative.
Bolger:: It sounds like whining.
Alsop:: It sounds like whining because we, too, are conditioned by society about this issue. We have every right to whine. This has been a damned hard path. I think we should all whine for one second, and have a nice group whine, and get it over with, but also say to people that we're not ignorant of the struggles we've had, but we've embraced them and managed to get to the other side.
