NONVERBAL CONSENT FOR IMMERSIVE PERFORMERS

 

Keep your performers and your audience protected and at ease. Foster a safe space for an immersive world to bloom. Ever present on the producer's mind: prevent liability! 

 

Borrowing from my extensive knowledge of sex education and my time at Shag Brooklyn as a sexuality educator, I created this workshop in direct response to feeling violated by audience members when performing interactive theatre. I'd been licked, picked up, squeezed, heckled, and harassed many, many times, and I started picking up tricks to spot potential problematic scenarios before they erupt, find and support fellow performers in unpleasant or bad situations, de-escalate without breaking character, harness the power of the audience to protect myself, and - most importantly - communicate my consent and receive the consent of others non-verbally. This concept is common in sexuality, where you do not always have to have verbal consent to have clear consent, and you can non-verbally express that you do not consent. Actors, by nature, are great at reading and giving non-verbal cues. By explicitly giving your actors these tools in an easy and fun format (there's a lot of hugging in this workshop, literally), we can ensure a safe and fully immersive experience for everyone involved. Immersive theater seems poised to stay, but actors will learn tools they can use in non-immersive work as well.

 

You want your immersive show to be in the press, but not because a drunk audience member groped one of your actors.

 

 

RETROS FOR THEATRE COMPANIES AND CREATIVES

 

Learn to communicate and give feedback more effectively; improve team relations and morale; address conflict before it escalates. Retrospectives are common in so many fields, but not in theatre. My retros are suited to an especially creative crowd. I have an enormous library of games, techniques, and exercises from which to pull, and I tailor the day's activities to your teams exact needs at that time, with a flexible list of options so we can meet each team member where they are that day. Quality, frequent retros have been shown to increase productivity and save money, and I've seen them prevent catastrophes quite a few times. Part therapy, part team-build, part action plan, part arts & crafts. Plus, they're fun.

 

 

VOCAL TECHNIQUE FOR MOVERS (& SHAKERS)

 

What creates the sound that is your speaking voice? Most trained actors (and singers) know this answer, but dancers, fitness professionals, and other movers usually do not. Again and again, I hear vocal fatigue, vocal chord nodules, and vocal strain that is all fully preventable. If you dance, you activate, stretch, and train your muscles. If you want to be able to continue using your voice while you move, you need to give your vocal resonators and articulators the same attention. As a mover, I know how to effectively communicate these concepts in terms you'll understand. You don't need to loose your voice to teach dance or fitness! Let me help and give your poor voice some love and care. You'll emerge with actionable tips and a flexible vocal warmup routine. Workshop for groups or individuals!

 

GET IN TOUCH FOR BOOKING & REFERENCES. NON-PROFIT RATES AVAILABLE. 

ALL WORKSHOPS CURRENTLY BOOKING IN DIGITAL FORMAT. 

FOR GROUPS LARGE AND SMALL, ALWAYS CUSTOMIZED TO FIT YOUR GROUP & EVENT.

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth will point you in the right direction of the booking team for your event

 

Elizabeth will point you in the right direction of the booking team for your event

 

Elizabeth Weitzen © 2022