(Notes)


What would the champion model of a diverse drama school look like?

- Building new accessible buildings.

- The day when we don't have to question diversity.

- Getting everyone to start at the same level - getting everyone to ensure we're at same start.

- Induction days/workshops to unload preconceived barriers with support.

- We need teachers who are passionate.

- Students should have teaching and support staff that can guide them through.

- Having a safe space is useful.

- Enable/ challenge/ broaden horizons.

- The inner part of you should never be compromised. *woop woop*

- Do drama students have to wear a uniform (ie. blacks)?

- Drama training founded on some very specific physical principles.

- Diverse people shouldn't have to do all the work-making others feel comfortable.

- Regular reflective conversations

- No more burdening the 'subject' of diversity having to educate others

- Offers different avenues to training

- Important conversations always to take place - not always then but if possible later.

- Diverse Industry Links.

- Free auditions.

- Open doors charity models.

- Bursaries/scholarships

- This drama school will do outreach auditions to encourage diversity.

- Diverse audition panels for all rounds.

- Diverse teachers + guest teachers.

- Deconstruction of myths, attitudes around race, gender, disability

- Respect for people's lived experiences.

- Drama school should give students 'the right to speak'.

- A school is only as good as the quality of its staff.

- How do tutors perceive their role? Tutor/Mentor?

- Tutor should be adding to the students potential.

- Mental health must be considered.

- Drama schools need more diversity in staffing.

- Drama schools need to reach out in communities.

- Humility to know that you do not have the knowledge to support diverse students.

- Everyone should make an effort to diversify choice of resources books/ films/ plays etc.

- Productions of a staff reading list.

- Audience needs and education.

- When does tradition become unhelpful for progress?

- How do we prepare actors for the outside world in the industry?

- Maintaining the status quo is a way of maintaining a diverse power dynamic.

- #I'm here, where are you? Audiences should perhaps only support theatres that support diverse people.

- The minister for arts and culture needs to be here.

- The principle of CSSD needs to be part of these conversations.

- Role modeling staff should deliver and share practice.

Who needs to change in order to support diverse students?

- Staff need to support grievances.

- Who are the unmarked people in drama schools?

- Heads of schools should be accountable for issues of diversity.

- Students need to feel safe enough to speak without judgment from staff.

- Student casting should not be influenced by opinions that they have offered.

- What are people's fears about changing the status quo?

- Are people (scared) the quality of work will be 'watered-down'?

- People are afraid of change/loosing power?

- Inclusivity is a movement towards progress.

- The people in power afraid that they are wrong!!

- For those who experience priviledge equlity feels like oppression.

- People in power need a mind shift.


(New Page)

- 1st - think what are drama schools training?

- For those who experience priviledge, equality feels like oppression!!

- The Incident Theatre company.

(New Page)

- 1st think what drama space/training expects an individual to cope/manage personally.

- Tutors - adding to potential
- challenge
- advanced broaden your horizons

- Should never be stripped of yourself.

- language

- Jess 'Bodied in Commotion' The Silent Child (Short Film)
Monroe Burgrof

(New Page)

Why are we still talking about issues surrounding diversity in theatre? (written in bold. blue ink).

(New Page)

Stakeholder Popwer has a role to play in progressive inclusivity. (written in bold, blue ink).

(New Page)

Staff need to Listen to Students! We need to be able to have difficult conversations. (written in bold, blue ink.)

(New Page)

Codes of conduct ensure staff/institutions are accountable (underlined). When you are in a safe space it is easier to challenge others. (written in bold, blue ink).



Note from the author: I'm so sorry that I am only just posting this session now. I tried to upload it at the time but was unable to, and then a mixture of life and research meant that I forgot to attempt it again. I hope that those who were present got as much from the conversation as me - I think that the few that I talked to did. I also hope that the plays, the research, the teaching and the PhDs that featured in our discussions were all successful.