What is an actors' advocate?
AS A BIPOC (Black Indigenous and People of Color) ACTORS' ADVOCATE, I ENSURE AN OPEN AND CREATIVE PROCESS BY HOLDING PROTECTED SPACE FOR BIPOC ACTORS AND REMOVING THE BURDEN TO ADDRESS RACISM AND MICROAGRESSIONS, SO THEY CAN FOCUS ON THEIR CRAFT.
In order to do this, some of the services I bring to a production include:
In order to do this, some of the services I bring to a production include:
- Serve as a liaison between the BIPOC cast and Creative Team concerning any identity-based concerns or incidents, ensuring these lines of communication are clear and guided by anti-racist principles
- Work with Creative Team, as necessary, to identify tropes, common manifestations of oppression in casting, hair/makeup, etc. before they make their way into the rehearsal process or stage.
- Provide that during rehearsals the established boundaries of the Actors are not being crossed and that requests/direction serve the story and are not rooted in stereotypes/centering of cishetero white perspective and expectation
- Prepare Actors emotionally for heavy scenes, such as portraying identity-based violence, isolation, or deep-diving into the identity of character that creates inner turmoil in these areas, as well as providing them with support throughout the process
- Facilitate dialogue between the Actors and Director about their comfort level with the content of a scene/character, such as described above
- Coordinate with departments such as Costumes and Hair & Makeup to make sure that the BIPOC Actors are provided with appropriate services with the same time and care as their white cast members
- Hold meeting space for BIPOC cast members to connect, share experiences, and offer any concerns or grievances
- Provide anti-racist trainings/education, as necessary
why is it important to have an actors' advocate?
When communication is open, the rehearsal process is a time for play, exploration, and liberating discoveries of text, society, and self. Performances follow suit delivering narratives that change minds and shift culture. In order to have this experience, communication between the Creative Team and Actors as well as within the cast needs to be unburdened by racism, its progeny, unconscious bias, or other identity-based oppression.
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No one should have to feel disempowered at work or forced to take on the role of educator or advocate simply by virtue of being a person of color. Actors should be able to focus on their craft without having to compromise their sense of self or swallow microagressive behavior in service to the story. Additionally, Actors are often asked to take and apply whatever direction is given and can feel compelled to do what is requested, even if that request makes them uncomfortable. Furthermore, with the pressures to maintain a "good reputation" and be "easy to work with," raising concerns about treatment during production with costumes, makeup, music direction, etc can feel like a career threat. This is where I come in as an Actors' Advocate. As an Actors' Advocate, I ensure that Actors have a designated person to go to should they have concerns about material or grievances about interactions with the Creative Team or other cast members. Representing their interests, I will participate in select meetings with the Creative Team to relay these concerns and feedback in order to create corrective action plans and educational training as well as engage in emotional repair, as necessary. In this capacity, Actors can join in the work of advocacy only to the extent that they desire that work and not out of necessity.
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"When a white director is hired on a show written by a playwright of color, it impacts the experience of the actors of color who are performing in it. Their experience is directly shaped by whether the director and producing theatre are guided by an anti-racist theatre ethos." -Nicole Brewer
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In addition to benefitting the Actors, an Actors' Advocate benefits the theater itself. The ability to identify potential shortcomings in a variety of contexts will allow a production to unfold smoothly, help avoid problems before they arise, and when they do arise, offer a framework with which to resolve them.
Need more insight into the need for this service? Take a look at experiences of BIPOC in the theater here from We See You.
Need more insight into the need for this service? Take a look at experiences of BIPOC in the theater here from We See You.
The numbers
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graphics from AAPAC, Ethnic Representation on New York City Stages, 2016/17
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