Abstract
In 1849 when Duke Saxe Meiningen created the role of the modern director in theatre he created an authoritarian model for creative power over production that would be replicated for the next one hundred and fifty years in the performing arts. This leadership model led to a performing arts industry reliant on performances being obedient and not fostering environments where creative collaboration can thrive. It created confusion between what it means to say, “yes” from a point of view of survival and not from a place of consent. For true collaboration to thrive in the product and process oriented spaces of the performing arts, leadership in this area has to progress its understanding of how to develop consent based spaces. Since 2008 I have been researching and developing tools to help progress and establish consent tools that can be integrated in the development of theatre productions, film productions, and performance training classrooms. Creating Consent Culture in Performance Spaces my research presentation that condenses the years of research and the development of best practice tools for consent into an hour long format that will give audience members immediate and accessible tactics. It discusses the importance of being specific around the conditions and context of consent, how that looks when focusing on product and process spaces, what does it mean when the body is the instrument, and the five qualities of consent to consider when progressing curriculum, leadership style, and collaboration. This research has been internationally recognized and is helping to create more responsible power structures in the performing arts, and it has helped performers advocate for their needs without fear of retaliation.
Keywords
Performing Arts, Consent, Acting, Theatre, Film
Included in
Creating Consent Based Spaces in the Performing Arts
CASB 104
In 1849 when Duke Saxe Meiningen created the role of the modern director in theatre he created an authoritarian model for creative power over production that would be replicated for the next one hundred and fifty years in the performing arts. This leadership model led to a performing arts industry reliant on performances being obedient and not fostering environments where creative collaboration can thrive. It created confusion between what it means to say, “yes” from a point of view of survival and not from a place of consent. For true collaboration to thrive in the product and process oriented spaces of the performing arts, leadership in this area has to progress its understanding of how to develop consent based spaces. Since 2008 I have been researching and developing tools to help progress and establish consent tools that can be integrated in the development of theatre productions, film productions, and performance training classrooms. Creating Consent Culture in Performance Spaces my research presentation that condenses the years of research and the development of best practice tools for consent into an hour long format that will give audience members immediate and accessible tactics. It discusses the importance of being specific around the conditions and context of consent, how that looks when focusing on product and process spaces, what does it mean when the body is the instrument, and the five qualities of consent to consider when progressing curriculum, leadership style, and collaboration. This research has been internationally recognized and is helping to create more responsible power structures in the performing arts, and it has helped performers advocate for their needs without fear of retaliation.