This Play Recruited Actors With Anorexia. Was That Ethical?

Background

A new avant‑garde production has taken an unconventional casting approach by selecting performers who have personally experienced anorexia. The director argues that the authenticity of lived experience brings a depth to the narrative that traditional acting cannot achieve.

Critics’ Concerns

Several psychologists and concerned parents have voiced alarm, suggesting the project could glamorize a serious eating disorder. They warn that public exposure of vulnerable individuals might reinforce harmful stereotypes or even trigger relapse among audience members who identify with the characters.

Performer’s Perspective

One of the cast members, who prefers to remain anonymous, described the rehearsals as empowering. “Onstage, I can be who I really am,” she said, adding that the role allowed her to confront her past and reclaim agency over a condition that once defined her.

Ethical Debate

The controversy highlights a broader question in the arts: where should the line be drawn between artistic authenticity and the responsibility to protect vulnerable participants? While proponents champion the therapeutic potential of storytelling, opponents stress the need for safeguards, such as professional mental‑health support and informed consent, to ensure the well‑being of everyone involved.