A new advertising campaign from Wells Fargo, an American banking and financial services company, has prompted outrage from the theatre community. The ads imply that it is more valuable for young people to pursue a career in the sciences rather than the arts.
A Wells Fargo brochure depicts a young man in a science lab. “An actor yesterday. A botanist today. Let’s get them ready for tomorrow,” reads the accompanying text. Another, depicting a young woman in a lab, reads: “A ballerina yesterday. An engineer today.”
Among those to express their disappointment and frustration at the campaign on September 3 were Alex Brightman, Ann Harada, Cynthia Erivo, Heather Headley and Benj Pasek—who took to Twitter to call out the company directly. “Apparently @WellsFargo doesn’t think that an actor or ballerina require any work at all. Shame!” read Erivo’s tweet.
Read some of the responses from the theatre community below:
Apparently @WellsFargo doesn't think that an actor or a ballerina require any work at all! Shame pic.twitter.com/BZyLZOQmUw
— Cynthia Erivo (@CynthiaEriVo) September 3, 2016
I think I want @WellsFargo to stop managing my money if they don't respect how I make it https://t.co/oyyHroJKDN
— Ann Harada (@annharada) September 3, 2016
Well this is gross. @WellsFargo just told me that I should look for other work. Here's to tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/xqBQXFs0vH
— Alex Brightman (@ABrightMonster) September 3, 2016
Arts education saved my life and countless others. Artist life is beautiful. Don't listen 2 @WellsFargo- it's a trap pic.twitter.com/Dz3Q6mNlEL
— Andy Mientus (@andymientus) September 3, 2016
...and tomorrow, an apology from @WellsFargo for denigrating the legitimate dreams of young artists everywhere? pic.twitter.com/Er2pAIOfFj
— Benj Pasek (@benjpasek) September 3, 2016
EWW. Go stand in front of your Sardis portrait and give @WellsFargo a 2 finger salute. Crappy stagecoach anyways. https://t.co/10bBEfJMaH
— Lesli Margherita (@QueenLesli) September 3, 2016
Well, @WellsFargo I was an actor then, I am an actor now, & this is NOT the inspiration for the actors of tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/drmUUPV9lD
— Heather Headley (@heatherheadley) September 3, 2016
More like "I respected your business yesterday. I don't respect your business today!" Bad move @WellsFargo. https://t.co/XOePmXs7vZ
— Christopher Rice (@ChrisRiceNY) September 3, 2016
I am glad I am not a customer of yours @WellsFargo. Ignorant, silly, and hurtful. Actors are important too. pic.twitter.com/CnTQaobZjZ
— Alex Boniello (@AlexBoniello) September 3, 2016
