A Tale of Two Caesars: Theaters, Controversy, and Conversation

This thesis explores how theaters respond to public controversy related to programming. Arts-related controversies are often the first public eruption of deeper community struggles; with the contemporary political climate, I believe that these controversies will become more common. This study suggests that theaters are more than capable of weathering a public controversy, as long as they anticipate and prepare for backlash. The study also suggests that theaters make careful, deliberate choices about the season following a controversy, as well as diversifying staff and leadership to avoid unintentional missteps. This thesis also grapples with the difficulties of meaningful conversation in the digital sphere, the limits of deliberation, and the role of the arts in a politically charged landscape.M.S., Arts Administration -- Drexel University, 201