Community Musical Theater - A Cult?

Following up on James McElroy's suggestion that Musical Theater meets some of the definitions of a cult, and like a good devotee, seeking guidance, I looked up his link to the Rational Enquirer BC's article from 2000:

What features are necessary, then, for a group to be properly called a cult? A cult attempts to impose a certain worldview on its members while rigidly preventing exposure to and arguments from competing worldviews. A cult typically has a charismatic leader whom the membership believes to be infallible, and thus above questioning.

Hmmm...Close. If you try to escape - here!, rearrange the props table. Except maybe the infallible part. I chase after Steve all the time, relentlessly questioning him about this and that, but distracted by 50 other weightier matters, he sometimes doesn't answer, so is that the same as having an infallible leader above questioning? A fallible sphinx-like leader?

The article continues: "A more appropriate definition of a cult would demand that a group exhibit most, if not all, of the following attributes:"

the group must demonstrate a considerable degree of deviance from the norms of civilized behavior observed by the more mainstream social, political, or religious organizations that try to attract adherents and shape their behavior.

With all the singers and computer geeks, and avid TV watchers....yeah, we're deviant, and proud of it!

it should be shown to cause some non-trivial harm to individuals, groups, or society as a whole.

Nah, we're just silly...

the group must engage in “thought reform” tactics to achieve conformity and compliance (i.e., tactics of the sort described by the American psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton in his classic books on so-called “brainwashing”). These include systematic application of propaganda and social engineering techniques. Many would-be cult leaders have probably never read a textbook on these subjects but the effective ones seem to have a natural knack for such manipulativeness.

This is what the T-Shirts are for. That's why I have a whole closet full of them.

cult leaders typically demand social isolation of followers to insulate them from contrary opinions and exert the maximal force of their own manipulations. Within the cult, they try to prevent proselytes from having the time or solitude to reflect on what they are being told. Physical and emotional exhaustion are often used as a conversion tool.

Boy, that sounds like Musical Theater! Sorry about the 3 a.m. cue-to-cue rehearsal, but, as they say, the show must go on! And don't be late for the extra-special dance rehearsal at 8 a.m.!

there must be some degree of deception in recruiting efforts and the use of strong psychological or physical threats in order to retain those who join.

Don't worry, you'll have plenty of free time AFTER the show opens!

there must be a rigid hierarchy that controls all information fed to the group and an attempt to isolate members from contact with non-adherents.

Yup, that's the DMTC Board for you! We are SO effective controlling the flow of information, three-quarters of the time, we have no idea ourselves what is happening.

there must be undue demands for money, work, sexual favors, further recruiting efforts, etc.

Sexual favors? Where?

there is usually some claim of supernatural sanction in order to justify the intrusive powers and special privileges enjoyed by the group’s leader and his or her entourage.

God created DMTC!

Without most of these attributes being present, a group probably should not be labeled as a cult.

Do cult leaders possess secret powers of persuasion that are unique and irresistible? Given the strong hold they exert and the dramatic results they obtain, it may hard to believe, but the answer to this question is “no.” Cults use basically the same social conditioning and indoctrination methods described in any social psychology text.

Hmmm....I still don't think DMTC is a cult.

But you have to wonder about the names. Woodland Opera House is fairly bland name, and most people who perform there often seem pretty clear-eyed. DMTC sounds like the KGB or the CIA - a secret society with special powers. Runaway Stage sounds like a hideout characterized by an absolute evasion of responsibility, a place full of spendthrifts and fugitives. The spookiest name of all, though, is Magic Circle Theater - Ooooowwwweeeeeooooo!

The article asks "how can we recognize a cult? A fair use of the cult label for a questionable organization would require the presence of most of the items on the following checklist.

Does the group:

engage in deceptive recruitment practices? (recruiters typically disguise the true nature and aims of the group when seeking converts)

You will always be the lead player! You are bound to get an Elly Award!

tend to target vulnerable individuals, as outlined above?

How many years of vocal lessons have you taken? Good! You're vulnerable!

offer unconditional affirmation and support initially, but soon make its continuance contingent on obedience?

Blackout! Move the furniture piece! MOVE THE FURNITURE PIECE!

have a closed social system that makes a special effort to isolate acolytes from family, friends, etc.?

Not deliberately - only by time demands!

use constant bombardment with pro-group and pro-leader messages and exclusion of other messages?

Go Kings! Go Orchestra! Go DMTC!

have a rigid, authoritarian hierarchy?

There's the Board again!

have a leader and ruling clique that are perceived to possess infallible insight, supernatural powers, etc.? Do they claim to have been chosen by some higher authority to rule, and thus to be excused from the normal social restrictions on one’s behavior?

The DMTC Board was chosen by Zeus. Now, about those sexual favors again?

have an eclectic, often muddled and internally contradictory, set of teachings - usually a magic-laden philosophy that claims to have infallible answers to those “big ticket” questions of existence?

Boy, that's DMTC to a tee!

Close James, but no cigar - we're not quite a cult. Now, if you don't mind, I have to render unto Steve that which is Steve's....