Readers weigh in on Anthony Henderson's reaction to my review of Is What It Is Theatre's Amateurs
Mark S.P. Turvin
(home office) (602) 912-0117
I can be reached for comment via e-mail at: mspt@goldfishpublishers.com

Readers,

While I have received several kind phone calls and emails concerning Anthonly Henerson's reaction to my Amateur's review, many have requested either they not be posted or that their replies remain anonymous. Below are the others.

Thanks for all of your comments,

MSPT

Dear Mr. Turvin,

I wanted to respond to Mr. Anthony Henderson's various emails to you in regard to your review of Amateurs. I felt that your review was a very fair and positive critique of this up and coming theatre. Additionally, I want to commend how you handled the letter with respect to the theatre and the other individuals involved with this particular production. I thought that you demonstrated great class and professionalism in your actions.

To Mr. Henderson I would like to say that I was appalled at the things that he had the nerve to write. Not only did he attack you, but also he attacked the theatre, and his fellow cast members accusing them of not making choices. That is shameful, and embarrassing. Mr. Henderson also referred to dealing with heady actors, and I suppose that the valley theatre community at large should thank him for showing us what not to be. Under no circumstances is it ever appropriate to attack fellow cast and crewmembers, especially in a public forum. He spoke extensively about the relationships that exist in theatre. Well those exist onstage and off, and he has managed to sever both.

As actors we make choices, but we must realize that sometimes they work and sometimes they fall flat. If we are not willing to learn from those that don,t work then we will never improve. Mr. Henderson seemed to want you to give sunny reviews to everyone, but that is not the job of a reviewer. A reviewer is supposed to critique according to their opinion. A director once said to me that if you,re gong to believe the good, then you have to believe the bad. Well, I hope that someday Mr. Henderson matures enough to handle the good with the bad (although I do not think that your review of his performance was at all derogatory).

Finally, Mr. Henderson makes several blanket statements regarding how black actors have no opportunity in Phoenix. Well, Mr. Henderson the Valley is fortunate enough to have the Black Theatre Troup in residence. If this is not a wonderful opportunity I don,t know what is. Many larger cities do not have the blessing of such an organization. I, and many of my peers took great offense to the "white trash Midwesterner" comment. That was inappropriate, irrelevant, and simply ignorant. However, it was noticed.

Lastly, I would like to salute the cast and crew of Amateurs for their outstanding production. It really was quite well done, and a quality show. The final product should not have been tarnished because of the childish and self-serving behavior of Mr. Henderson.

Sincerely,

Amanda Nichols

Mark,

I have to tell you I totally agreed with you review of Amateurs 100%. I still don't know why Anthony is even an actor. Everything I've seen him in he's been awful. I've enjoyed your reviews and will keep reading them. Mr. Henderson needs to take English lessons before attempting to bash your reviews in the future. I hope you didn't take anything he said personal.

Thanks,

Name Withheld by Request of Sender

Hi, Mark. Just a quick note to applaud your integrity in your careful handling of Mr. Henderson's letter. Your response is an excellent model to all of us to think first before letting emotions take over. I would [have] written an angry retort in defense of myself had I been in your shoes, and then the next day I would have realized what a bad idea that was. Bravo for your response as well as for your considerate delay of posting the letter after IWII's show had closed.

Ashley Barnard

Mark~

Though I read Mr. Henderson's letter some time ago, I didn't feel it necessitated any kind of response. (Especially since I don't know Mr. Henderson!) I was recently on your site to check out the review of BPW's Evita and stumbled upon it again. I've never seen Anthony's work and after this blatant display of disrespect for his fellow artists, I'm not sure I would want to.

You see, I didn't see your review as racist. (Silly me!) In fact, I went back to read it several times and realized that you didn't mention Mr. Henderson's heritage at all! You lumped him in with all of the other hard working, dedicated cast members rather than setting him apart for being black. How dare you!

There were some specific comments written by Mr. Henderson that I feel MUST be addressed: "Its very obvious your wrote your review based up favorites, and in this industries that doesn't exist." If favoritism doesn't exist in this industry, then how could you possibly incorporate that into a review? Am I the only one who sees the contradiction in that statement? I can attest personally to the fact that regardless of how many times we may shoot the shit together, have a cocktail, gossip at theatre gatherings, or bum cigarettes from each other, I will always run the risk of being slammed in a review if my WORK is half-assed or dishonest. That's just a fact. I have been criticized and had more than one "reality check" from critics who were also good personal friends. If that's not a testament to the truth of your critiques, I don't know what is!

"...you should never expect to get the cudos from amatuer racist, closeminded critiques as yourself who have no idea of what it is to put a production on with heady actors who refuse to make a choice for themselves and for the director refusing to give the director options, they lack risk, and the need for adventure." I especially like the part about you having no idea what it is to put a production on.... blah, blah, blah. Weren't you just recently IN War of the Worlds? Didn't you also do Under Milkwood? Haven't you served theatres across the Valley as Assistant Director and Dramaturg? You'll have to forgive me if I've left anything out, but this is just what I know of you by word of mouth. I would like to know how long Anthony has been in the Valley that he "hasn't heard of you." He is either very new to the community, or he has been way too consumed with his own "down to earth performance" that he can't take the time to care about anyone around him. Considering his complete lack of kindness or concern for the feelings of his director, production team and peers, it's most likely the latter.

"This is a small society from coast to coast..." This is the ONE comment made in which I am in perfect harmony with Mr. Henderson! It IS a small society. (I prefer the word community, myself.) The theatre community is it's own little family and , Mr. Henderson has become the drunk uncle who arrives at every gathering loudly lamenting the fact that he has not yet been "discovered." Boo Hoo.

"It very obvious that Phoenix is full of white trash mid westerners with not culture or diversity as yourself who go to the theatre for a name and a hoby." Wow. He sure knows how to win points with the audience as well as the theatre community, doesn't he?? In his attempt to gain esteem in your eyes, he completely alienated a group of people that are capable of providing him the opportunity to work and grow as an actor. I will admit that I do theatre for a hobby. I work an 8-5 corporate job during the day to support my acting habit. Is that wrong? I do it because I love it. Not for the fame (c'mon... who are we kidding?!), definitely not for the money... so what is it? I am involved in theatre for the people. The actors, directors, musicians, technicians AND the audience. I do it because there is honor in allowing people to forget their troubles for a couple of hours. There is distinction in the ability to transport people to another time and place. There is grace in becoming real and vulnerable to a room full of strangers. When you think about all the lives you can touch in a single night, it's a bit petty to get so bent out of shape over one opinion.

But then again, that's just MY opinion.

Good luck, Mr. Henderson. My wish for you is that your roles be plentiful and your fellow actors all have very thick skin.

Sincerely,
~Andi Watson

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