In the Shadow of Shakespeare by Ellen Wilson

I think that is inherent in the script; in the language.  You will
understand Desdemona’s character better, Renita, if you understand the
difference between these two women.  In a way she is like Othello – rather
naïve, while Emilia tends to be more headstrong.”
    Renita
stood, hands on hips, smacking her gum at Sonia.
     “Please
Renita, get rid of your gum.  They did not chew gum in Elizabethan
England.  Desdemona, take it from line fifty nine – these men, these
men!
    She
went and sat next to Derrin, listening.  Made them go through it
again.  Then again.  They went through it until she saw a change in
Renita; saw that she was defining Desdemona out of Desdemona, not Renita. 
     “Good! 
Good!  Bravo you two – Bravo!”  Alice and Derrin applauded . 
Sonia bowed, then ran off the stage.  Renita stood fixed in the center of
the stage, her eyes shining.  She looked like a butterfly emerging from a
chrysalis.
     “I
remember when Sonia used to look like that.”  Derrin said.
     “Me
too.”
    Alice
wasn’t altogether surprised when after everyone had left Derrin followed her
into her office.  Red curtains with gold lions draped the window. 
She had tied them back with gold cord.  There was a slight breeze outside
ruffling the papers on her desk.  She put the paperweight down on
them.  The temperature was rising.  They were expecting a storm later
in the day.
     “We
should get out of here before it rains.”  Alice said.
    Derrin
nodded.  “That’s kind of why I wanted to talk to you.”
     “Okay.” 
Alice sat back.
     “It’s
just not the same anymore,” he ran his hands through his hair, “Christ, this is
hard Alice.”
     “Just
tell me what’s on your mind
Derrin.”          “Well, you see
how Sonia has been acting – so buddy, buddy with Brad, and she just doesn’t
care about the acting anymore.  You know, she had those big dreams about
going to Broadway.  Now she can’t wait to high tail it out of here after
we practice.”
     “Yes,
I’m aware of that.”
     “I’m
not saying she doesn’t put her time in, because she does.  But she knows
exactly how much time she needs to put in – no more, no less, and that’s what
she does.  The magic is gone for her.  It’s like a job.”
    Alice
nodded.
    Derrin
swallowed hard, and his Adam’s apple moved up and down.  He took a deep
breath.  She put his hand over his.  “It’s okay Derrin, really.”
     “The
thing is….they are so…mean…I mean, they are unforgiving of my sexuality. 
They make little jibes here and there.  Sonia never used to be like
that.  Not before Brad. ”  He broke down, sobbing.  Alice,
realizing there were no tissues around, went into the bathroom and grabbed a
handful of toilet paper.
     “Anyway,
I want to quit.  I want out of here!”  He dabbed at his eyes and blew
his nose. 
    She
sat in her chair again.  “Don’t let them run you out of here Derrin.”
     “I
can’t stand it!  They’ve turned everyone against me.  I thought the
theatre was a safe haven for gay people.  Yeah, right.  Ha.
Ha.”  He blew his nose again.
     “They
haven’t turned everyone against you.  Am I against you?” 
     “You’re
the only one.”
     “No,
that’s not true.  What about Jim Schelling?  He thinks you’re a
superb actor, and an admirable person.”
     “Oh
cut it out with all the grandiose adjectives Alice.” 
     “It’s
true.”
     “I
know they want to get rid of me.” 
     “I’m
the only one who can get rid of you.  And that’s not going to
happen.  No anti-gay conspiracy here.  But you know Derrin, you will
have to be dealing with this kind of thing for the rest of your life. 
It’s not easy.  Once you come out of the closet…well you’re not hidden any
more.  Kind of a sitting duck for people’s sexual insecurities and general
lack of understanding and open mindedness.”
    He
sighed.  “Yeah, I know.  All they care about is