Playwright Linda Felton Steinbaum was so intrigued by the onslaught of female teachers accused of sexual misconduct against her students that she felt compelled to write a play, Mustang Sally, addressing the trend’s multiple problems and inequities. The cases are almost too numerous to list, “says Linda.” What is even more surprising is how young many of the victims are. Most of us assume that if a teacher “falls in love” with a minor child, they must be very mature and close to adulthood. Not so. Surprisingly, most of these teens are still gangly and awkward kids. “
These are some of the cases that caught the attention of the playwright: they are all teachers; Lakina Stutts, 40 years old with a 14 year old student, Deana Bobo 37, sex with 14 years old, Mary Kay Letourneau was 34 when she had sex with a 12 year old girl, Bethany Sherrill 24 with 14 years old, Kelly Lynn Dalecki 28 with Boy 13-year-old Sherry Brians 41 – with a 12-year-old girl, Pamela Turner Boy, 27 – 13, Susan Eble 35 – 14, Tara Lynn Crisp 29 – 14 Laura Lynn Findlay, Carol Flannigan 50 – 11 Moan Marie Sladky, a one-year-old alumnus, and let’s not forget the infamous Debra LaFave, the 25-year-old blonde teacher from Tampa, FLA, who pleaded guilty to having sex with a 14-year-old boy. The list goes on and on.
Forensic psychologist Louis B. Schlesinger of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York is quoted in a Fox News story, “Older women involved with underage men is nothing new. That has been going on for many, many. , many years. The opinion is that it is a right of way … the boy is lucky. Some adult men and women are attracted to adolescents, “said Schlesinger. “These are teachers with boundary problems. Their boundaries are very fluid.” (Article written by Catherine Donalson-Evans, published on February 12, 2005)
“Still, it is a crime if the child is a minor,” Linda says, “even if the sex is consensual.” He goes on to say that these guys are often confused by the messages they see in movies, on television, and in the media. And the tacit boilerplate message is this: if they are offered sex, especially from an authority figure, they must submit, whether they want to or not, to comply and also prove their masculinity. Many young children may be physically ready but not emotionally ready for an intimate sexual relationship. “
“I researched this topic extensively,” says Linda, “and have done my best to present a typical case of female teachers engaging in sexual misconduct (rape) with male minors in the play. The psychological term for the condition is’ hebophilia ‘which is sexual attraction to teens or postpubertal minors. It’s happening more often than you think, and it bothers me that society makes fun of this. We need to protect our sons and daughters. What message are they? We other teachers who might be ‘drawn’ to their young male students when men convicted of child rape are sentenced to 10 or more years in prison while female offenders typically get probation or house arrest? “
As Matthew Felling, director of media at the Center for Media and Public Affairs put it, “The main dichotomy is in coverage: men are demonized, women are diagnosed. Men are beasts, but women have problems or suffer from mental illness. “
The play, Mustang Sally, has brought in lead theater director Arturo Castillo to direct the project. Arturo has directed shows at many major Equity venues, including the National Theater in London. As a producer, I can say that we are very excited to have a director of Arturo’s caliber committed to this production. I have worked with Arturo before and, like me, he only engages with meaningful works that highlight the truth or expose a real need in society. For information, visit mustangsallytheplay.com or myspace.com/mustangsallytheplay.
