As theatre returns, we need to be mindful of predators in our communities

As many of us prepare to return to in-person theatre, there’s been an emphasis on safety like never before. As theatres make plans regarding masks, vaccines, temperature taking, and social distancing, I’ve recently given a lot of thought to safety in the theatre on a broader scale.

While COVID precautions are vital, we must also take precautions to keep our casts safe from dangerous people. Simply put, predators appear anywhere people gather. But over time I’ve found person after person who somehow thinks that we theatremakers are immune from incidents happening in our communities. The truth is, we’re not.

Unfortunately, our culture within the theatre community can be all too lucrative for predators. For too long we’ve commodified performers’ bodies as things to be costumed, lit, or choreographed upon. We’ve embraced a culture of excusing inappropriate behavior as “just how that person is” and demanded loyalty to directors and teachers and college programs that abuse performers and staff. We’ve written off accusations as “sour grapes”, acknowledging the accused’s artistic strength.

I grew up participating in theatre around town and was assaulted by a predator who I interacted with in a community theatre production. When I returned to the same theatre community as an adult almost a decade later, I shared with a friend what happened. His response was “oh, so the rumors were true about that guy.”

The lesson? If something seems off, it probably is. That man was a well-known “creep” in the theatre community. I heard it before I experienced it first hand and for many years after. But no one did anything. He was part of the leadership of several companies, directed frequently, and was cast often. I was an unknown teenager who had done a handful of shows.

These days, I am the Managing Artistic Director of a community theatre company that works with children, teens, and adults. I also direct for several other companies and teach acting as well. With the influence that comes with these positions, I’ve asked myself what I should be doing to safeguard the people with whom I work. Is it possible to eliminate every ounce of abusive behavior from a community? Maybe not, but here’s what I’ve done to try.

First, I have a list of individuals who I will not work with based on irreparable, abusive behavior. These are not just the people who are “toxic” or “hard to work with” who I choose not to cast but people who I believe actively bring danger with them wherever they go. Not only do I not work with these people, but I share my experiences and knowledge about them with other directors in my community. While I don’t shout my list from the rooftops as many aren’t my stories to tell, I do feel that is my responsibility to share this information as needed to try to ensure other rooms in my community are safe.

I’ve been asked before, “well how do you know any of it is true?” Anyone who is on my list is there as a result of something that I have witnessed personally or based on a number of factors including the nature of the claims from those coming forward and multiple claims themselves. I feel it’s my duty to believe survivors of abuse when they approach me to say “this person would make your rehearsal space unsafe.” That takes a tremendous amount of courage to do.

It’s not easy to hear that you’ve been working with a dangerous person; I’ve been there too. After posting on social media about the danger of casting predators, I woke up to a Facebook message the next day that read “you cast my rapist last year.” And I had. I didn’t know. I certainly won’t cast him again now that I do. I highly doubt that anyone goes into an audition process planning to cast rapists and child molesters in their production. As horrible as it is, these predators are bound to enter your space. This is why we strive for a room that emphasizes empowerment and safety throughout.

We set expectations to ensure safety from the beginning of the rehearsal process. Adults don’t go in a closed-door room 1 on 1 with a minor, ever. We ask consent to touch each other, always. I’m a fairly physical director but I still don’t adjust anyone’s shoulder angle without asking first. We strive for respect and consent beyond the physical realm too. We emphasize that if we ever ask anyone to stay late, “no” is always an acceptable answer and a complete sentence. We make sure that the dressing rooms are adequate for the makeup of the cast. When someone brings up a concern about safety, health, or privacy, we take it seriously.

Casts trust their directors to keep them safe. They trust us to make sure qualified people hang the lights or build the sets and they trust us to ensure that the room is as free from predators as possible. If you find yourself thinking “not my shows!” or “I would know if these people were in my community!” I hope you’re right. But in all likelihood, you need to stay aware of who is entering your room and create a space so safe that an abuser isn’t presented with an opportunity. And most importantly, if someone brings a concern to you- believe them.