“Quintessential women”

Examining the social situation of actresses in the Hungarian countryside

Abstract

In this study I analyse the inequalities between the careers and roles of prose actresses and actors in theatres in the Hungarian countryside. Actresses are pioneers in the field of work organizations because they can build similar careers to actors, for instance as primadonnas. But there are some career obstructions like the legacy of dramatic literature, the organizational culture of the theatre, and rurality. Because of these career obstacles the actresses in rural theatres can be so called „quintessential women”. I recorded semi-structured interviews with 21 actresses and 13 actors. My results show that the actresses „condensed” all the social disadvantages of women and the related stereotypes and prejudices. The analysis of the theatrical field can illustrate this complex and ambivalent femininity, which I call the emancipated balance of the quintessential woman, that brings with it both advantages and disadvantages.