The Goal
Some forms of theatre carry with them a greater risk of harm than others, and the goal of this section is to outline considerations specific to these forms of higher-risk theatre, including onstage violence, sexual choreography and nudity. These forms share many of the same considerations, while some considerations are form-specific. The shared considerations also apply to other forms of physical theatre, including dance and other forms of choreography, and this section may serve as a guide for these forms as well.
The Standard
In audition notices, auditions, rehearsals, tech, and performances, we intend to create a safe and respectful atmosphere for all participants. We believe that communication, safety, respect, accountability, artistic freedom, collaborative integrity, and personal discipline are the cornerstones of this atmosphere.
Specific Considerations: Violence
The Goal
Onstage violence can be a shove, a slap, the use of weapons, elaborate fight sequences, sexual violence and more. We believe that performers should not routinely incur pain, bruises, or other injury while enacting violence. Our intention is to prepare for and mitigate the risks of onstage violence to create a safe space in which to take artistic risks.
Implementation Notes
- It is recommended, depending on the level of stage violence involved in the production, to assign a fight captain who is not involved in the fight choreography, so that the fight captain has the opportunity to observe the choreography from the outside (off-stage during performances, if possible).
- The stage manager should have a good line of sight to any fight choreography so that they can monitor and discuss any changes during the run of the show.
Specific Considerations: Sexual Content and Nudity
The Goal
Sexual Content and Nudity (SC/N) require careful consideration as early as the season selection process. Artists in scenes with SC/N take great personal risk, and our goal is to allow them to take that risk in an environment that is as safe, supportive, and comfortable as possible. SC/N should only be included in a production when it can be done responsibly and according to the following recommendations. We seek to replicate the conditions, detail and documentation and accountability traditionally employed for fight choreography for scenes with sexual choreography.
Preproduction and Auditions
- SC/N should not be required or requested at any audition.
- Actors performing nude must be at least 18 years old, and should provide proof of age at the audition.
- Actors who will be asked to perform SC/N as part of the production should confirm consent to performing SC/N at the time of audition.
Rehearsal
- Prior to rehearsing scenes with SC/N, the actors, director, choreographer, and Stage Manager/Assistant Director should discuss the content and create consent for the rehearsal. Participants should build consent and discuss boundaries before rehearsing scenes with SC/N. A safe word (such as “hold”) should be established for SC/N rehearsals.
- Initial SC/N rehearsals should be closed, such that only participants involved in the scene are present. SC/N rehearsals should be opened after agreement by the Stage Manager/Assistant Director and actors involved. The Stage Manager/Assistant Director should be present at all rehearsals where SC/N is rehearsed.
- Stage Manager/Assistant Director should document the terms of consent and details of sexual choreography.
- Actors performing nude scenes should be allowed to have and wear robes or other coverings when not rehearsing.
- Actors should have the option to decline SC/N elements added after audition disclosure
- Nude actors should not be photographed or recorded on video at any time during rehearsal, tech, or performance.
Tech
- Nudity during technical rehearsals should be limited to those times when it is absolutely necessary. Flesh-colored clothing or a robe may be worn when nudity is not required.
- Technical rehearsals should be closed to visitors during scenes with SC/N.
- The stage manager should be vigilant in identifying and resolving potential physical hazards for nude actors, such as splinters and rough edges.
Performance
- Only participants whose presence is required should be present in the wings or in any backstage space with a view of the stage. Gawkers should be dispatched.
Consent
We believe that building consent among participants is an important part of creating an atmosphere of trust and communication. We intend to recognize the following practices when building consent among participants:
- A consent-building conversation should specify the range of contact that is acceptable (e.g., anything but bikini area is within the range, or kissing is always closed mouth, etc.).
- The boundaries may change over the rehearsal process, either narrowing or broadening, but any change to the boundaries should be discussed and agreed upon before the rehearsal.
- There should be an opportunity to discuss potential boundary violations at the end of each rehearsal and performance.
- The agreed-upon structure of intimate contact should be maintained once a show is in production.
- Actors should inform the Stage Manager/Assistant Director and their scene partner(s) if they are sick (sore throat, cold sore, etc.), and alternate choreography should be defined for sick days.
Requires Disclosure
- SC/N should be disclosed in notices and invitations and at auditions.
- Precast actors or hired designers should be made aware of SC/N prior to accepting their roles.
- Designers should receive disclosure of SC/N and known design requirements.
Explore It Further
- When sexual choreography is required, prospective participants can be auditioned using nonsexual choreography to determine physical control.
- Discussions around sensitive requirements and how they will be handled should begin during pre-production meetings.
- Intimacy captains (like a fight captain) should be engaged for the production and included in pre-production meetings.
- The producer should standardize communication and protocols with directors requiring SC/N.
- If a full script is made available to prospective participants, language similar to the following should be included: “Please read the script closely and confirm that you are comfortable working with this material. Feel welcome to bring questions about content to the audition process. Your level of comfort with the content of this script will not impact your casting consideration for future productions.”
- Robes should be provided and regularly laundered for all actors who will appear nude.
- Actors, directors, and choreographers should have equal status in devising SC/N scenes.
- A time limit for rehearsing SC/N should be established and communicated.
- Backstage areas and dressing rooms should provide reasonable accommodations for modesty/privacy.