Theatrical Consent
Actors and other performers are paid to be vulnerable on stage. Whether this is intense joy, sadness, anger, or passion, it is an actor’s job to portray the truth of the human experience. Problems arise when simulated emotions generated by commitment to the given circumstances of a character seep into real emotions generated by the actors themselves. In the extreme, such instances can lead to cases of emotional, physical, and even sexual abuse. The #metoo movement has shed light on all too many instances of this in the theater and film industries. Our industry must recognize that this is a problem and work collaboratively with actors and production staff to create safe spaces where all involved feel comfortable to explore their creativity free from the inhibitions of fear and worry.
These workshops begin this process by helping actors and production staff experience consent through a variety of exercises, exploring the concept from varying perspectives. It will provide participants with a framework from which to begin work with other actors and help them develop language and an action plan to help keep themselves and others physically and emotionally healthy as they work. The material covered will give participants a foundation for how to protect themselves and their scene partners and provide a basis for communication between and among actors that is the basis of all good collaborative theater.
The most ideal delivery method of this material is hands-on experience. Participants will engage in several instructor-directed exercises to experience varying types of consent and will work collaboratively with the other participants and the instructors to develop vocabulary to discuss consent in the theater. The ideal group size is 20-25 participants.
The information we will cover is important and relevant to high school students, college students, working professionals, actors, directors, producers, and all other members of the theater community. We will discuss how this relates to auditions, rehearsals, and performances, as well as specialty groups such as community theater and theater with minors.
- Jacqueline Holloway & Dr Sean McCarther
What Fight Choreographers Can Teach Us About Consent – Sex with Timaree
I had a freaking blast sitting down with Timaree and talking about "helping theater companies choreograph love scenes in a way that centers consent and minimizes the risk of actors overstepping boundaries on stage. We talk about the need for this training and the incredible evolution that is happening around consent education worldwide."
Why Consent is Crucial to Creativity- Jacqueline Holloway, The Hustling Creative
We'd love to hear from you
About this workshop
I am extremely excited about this upcoming workshop! Grab a Valentine and let’s do this, NYC! ❤️ Performers are paid to portray the truth of the human experience. But problems arise when simulated emotions seep into real ones, especially those related to intimacy and violence. Without a foundation of respect and consent, actors can not be free to take bold risks, to ruthlessly pursue their objectives... to create. 👉This two hour workshop will explore the concept of consent through the perspectives of both self-preservation and interdependence. Artists will walk away with crucial tools to protect themselves and eachother, and arts educators and leaders will come away with a foundation for approaching the conversation that is rapidly becoming critical for every theatre and set across the country. 📧 $60 general admission, $30 students and actors.
Register, state an accessibility need or ask a question:
