The musical exposing what happens behind drama school doors: Q&A with Riley Elton McCarthy

Multi-award-nominated playwright Riley Elton McCarthy talks to us about the world premiere of their new musical Bachelors of Fine Arts. Written in collaboration with Hope Johansen and inspired by their experience at an elite drama school, they share more about what the show means to them and why now is the right time to premiere it at Edinburgh Fringe.

The show is inspired by your experiences at an elite New York drama school. At what point did you realise those experiences could become a musical rather than simply a personal story?

There are some moments in our story where words were not enough, either for comedic or tragic reasons. There came a point when, as we were developing the writing, we found that monologuing was not enough to capture the way these stories made us feel. It only made sense for us to sing. We released a lot of frustration, joy, and catharsis in telling it through song.

Bachelors of Fine Arts tackles themes of ambition, bullying, blacklisting and institutional power. Was there a particular moment or experience that became the catalyst for writing the show?

The biggest catalyst was the misconduct of our colleagues, which landed them in serious trouble. The faculty got away with so much, so students thought they could do as they pleased as well– without consequence to either party. It became a cycle of unethical behaviour that passed down from professors to students, who then blindly carried it into the industry, so no positive change came. We discuss it all in the show.

The musical combines sharp satire with a pop and country-influenced score. How did music help you explore these darker themes in a way that straight drama might not?

It helps make light of some of the more serious transgressions that move the plot along, for sure. It also keeps the audience engaged in a fun way as opposed to straight trauma dumping.

You’ve said the show is partly about 'unlearning' what your training taught you. What lessons from drama school have stayed with you, and what ideas were you most keen to challenge?

A lot of people will say you need to be “broken down” to be a good actor. Fair to say that life experience can help inform an actor’s performance for sure, but you don't need to go to space to play an astronaut in the same way that you don't need to be physically, verbally, or emotionally abused to play a character who has bad things happen to them. There was one professor who had a very beautiful metaphor about you and your skills being a pail that can only be filled, never depleted. Life and classes can only help your pail to overflow with joy, light, and excellence. A little corny, but in the best way possible, and probably the only positive lesson from school.

Many Fringe audiences will include young performers and students pursuing creative careers. What conversations do you hope they are having after they leave the theatre?

We hope young people feel assured that, despite whatever might be happening in their lives that they can’t share, they’re not alone in it, and that they will still have a career even if they don’t feel they fit in with their training. We want to talk about the scare tactics in cut programs, harassment, bullying, etc. that occur and how we can make sure that doesn’t happen to the next generation of theatre makers. Everyone should be able to learn with dignity and grace rather than degradation and humiliation. So many former classmates and colleagues reached out when they heard that they were telling this story, with enormous encouragement, in the hope that we would finally be able to have this conversation publicly.

Edinburgh Fringe is known for launching new work and encouraging risk-taking. Why is now the right time for Bachelors of Fine Arts to make its debut at the festival?

We’re not the only people talking about what’s going on behind closed doors at these institutions. The Stage UK published a high-profile inquiry in June regarding students being worse off after attending drama school training. Deadline has published stories about US institutions being hit with bullying and harassment lawsuits. The theatre community at large is finally speaking up on why acting training needs to change, and we’re here to offer our own experiences to that conversation. We’re not trying to punch down. We’re trying to start a conversation.

Bachelors of Fine Arts is at the Edinburgh Fringe at theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall, Theatre 3, 7 – 29 Aug (not 16, 23 & 30), 20.05 (20.55)  Ticket information here: Bachelors of Fine Arts | Edinburgh Festival Fringe