PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia-based collegiate performing club that has been limited to men only for more than 130 years is opening its auditions to be more inclusive.
Leaders at the Mask and Wig Club hope this is a step towards providing arts opportunities to more students on the University of Pennsylvania campus.
The club is a collegiate musical comedy troupe. Traditionally, it has only been open to men since its founding in 1889. That’s changing next year.
"This is one of probably the most monumental changes to our organization, so I think it’s definitely a huge deal," said Dean Jones, a Penn senior and chairman of the club.
Jones said the events over the past year and a half have given leaders a chance to reflect on their policies and history. He believes the change is a significant step in the right direction.
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"For the alumni, we saw an incredible amount of participation from our about 400 alumni members. We got over three-quarters of them participating, basically, and so this is a really big opportunity to bring everyone together and learn a little bit more. And I think it’s really exciting for us, and for the Penn community," he said.
Jones noted what he calls a "a general trend towards inclusion," created spaces that are welcome for all.
"That’s something that we are really priding ourselves on working towards, and especially with regards to gender, seeing a lot more recognition and awareness around gender minorities, and being able to really provide the same experience and give the same opportunities to everyone," he added.
Leaders of the club have previously acknowledged their troubled history after they were called out on social media for a photo in the clubhouse depicting Black face.
The mask and wig club also has a performance venue off-campus in Center City.
