An upcoming student production of a Broadway musical could include a scene in which actors appear naked on stage.
The original script of "Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical" calls for characters to bare all in a short scene as a form of protest against the Vietnam War.
Florida Players, a student-run theater company putting on the play, plans to include the scene.
The musical, which exhibits the hippie culture of the 1960s, has faced two Supreme Court cases regarding censorship for its obscene nature, said Jennifer Shorstein, director of the musical.
Although the scene has been considered controversial, Shorstein described it as a beautiful and powerful moment.
"It is shocking not just for the sake of being shocking, but to show that the body can be beautiful in a not sexual way," she said.
She said the musical was performed by the UF School of Theatre and Dance 15 years ago with full nudity.
But because Florida Players is funded by Student Government, they must receive an event permit before proceeding with their plans.
Martina Harte, assistant production manager for Florida Players, has been in contact with SG to try to resolve the issue.
Shontae White, assistant director of student activities, is looking into the issue before making a final decision, Harte said.
White was not available for comment.
Producers have not made a deadline for the decision to be made, as the play will not open until April 3.
Certainly shocking to an audience, participating in such a scene could be a difficult task.
Kelseanne Breder, a theater and psychology junior, admits to having personal reservations, but said she is excited.
"It will be such a liberating experience," Breder said.
In keeping with the theme of personal choices and freedoms, the nudity, if allowed, will be optional for the actors, Shorstein said.
If the permit is denied, other options have been discussed to maintain the idea of nudity without showing it.
Yvonne Hartung, Florida Players production manager, said including the original scene is the ideal situation, but she said she doesn't have plans to fight SG if the permit is denied.
As the third highest funded student organization, Florida Players cannot afford to go against the SG's decision, Hartung said.
"There are artistic ways to do the scene without going against the people that fund us," she said.
