#hEALMETOO podcast HOME > episode 004 & 005: #TheatreToo panel
#healmetoo podcast episodes 4 & 5:
#TheatreToo Panel on Taking the “Whisper” Out of the Network
DON’T MISS OUR NEXT #HEALMETOO PODCAST EPISODES. SUBSCRIBE TODAY.
As an independent theater production, the #HealMeToo Festival wanted to bring special attention to the great work being done by organizations and independent artists to address and prevent sexual harassment and assault within our own industry. So we invited the co-founders of advocacy group, Let Us Work, to convene and moderate a #TheatreToo panel discussion on the ways we can organize to take the "whisper" out of the network.
In episodes 4 & 5 you’ll hear knowledgable leaders discuss the movement to address and prevent sexual harassment and assault within the theatre industry:
Programs that support independent artists to shift our culture and practices, especially in freelance and nonunion contexts
The advantages and disadvantages of a whisper network compared to traditional HR channels, and new ways of bringing our "whispers" forward
Upstander/bystander techniques that bring issues into the open in productive and transformative ways to help create safer spaces
The tiny yet impactful culture shifts we all can create in our creative spaces, regardless of what "top-down" approaches are implemented by arts administrators and organizations
Some of the obstacles that prevent people from taking advantage of complaint processes
Some ways economic exploitation of labor in theatre dovetails with harassment
Resources to help artists and arts organizations create culture change in their rehearsal rooms
The panel also shared personal stories of empowerment through whisper networks, and a story of trauma getting triggered during the creative process, and finding support through sharing stories
They outlined ways LIT, ART/NY and even the Calisto app are working to organize the information in offline "whisper" networks and increase accountability
Moderator Rachel Dart, stage director and co-founder of Let Us Work
Moderator Stephanie Swirsky, playwright and co-founder of Let Us Work
Panelist Hope Chavez, Creative Producer + Programs Manager at A.R.T./New York
Panelist Yvette Heyliger, playwright, producing artist & activist
Panelist Aimee Todoroff of League of Independent Theater & Elephant Run District
Your Turn: Ideas & Links
So many great resources were mentioned during the panel discussion. Here are links to the organizations and services discussed:
League of Independent Theater Anti-Harassment Tooklit
A.R.T./NY (The Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York)
The Body Autonomy program (including the Ombud program)
subsidized anti-harassment training for individuals and organizations working in theatre
HR for the Arts
offers mediation for artists, regardless of your union status
The Actors Fund
free counseling and mediation regardless of union status
free healthcare
for Anyone who works in Arts and entertainment (not just artists)
Better Brave
Creating Safe Spaces
Harassment training for creative environments offered by Aquia Squitieri