Working with Respect is a one-day conference for theatre practitioners in Newfoundland & Labrador offering two streams of attendance - one for theatre performance artists (A Stream) and one for theatre directors & managers (B Stream). Registration is free and is limited to 24 participants per stream (see below for more information on Registration).
The main conference offerings will be two 3-hour workshops:
The main conference offerings will be two 3-hour workshops:
Respectful Workplaces in the Arts led by Tabitha Keast (A Stream) & Jenn Deon (B Stream) Canada’s Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC) is supporting efforts to address all kinds of harassment in arts workplaces (including sexual harassment bullying, discrimination and violence), and to lay the groundwork for “respectful workplaces” as the norm in the cultural sector. Under the Respectful Workplaces in the Arts banner, CHRC’s Maintaining Respectful Workplaces workshops have been created to explore how to best deal with harassment situations through:
In this three-hour workshop, tools and tips, including province/territory-specific legislation, will be highlighted for employers*, artists, and cultural workers to create and maintain a respectful workplace. What folks have being saying: "Excellent presentation! Very helpful and useful. Great opportunity to open the discussion." "As a senior director, I felt well-supported in the discussion, I was initially worried about the possibility of conflicts erupting, but that was well-managed, thank you!" "Very good format, informative and respectful of people's possible triggers in these topics." "Thank you. I needed this and it has certainly provided clarity." "Great to be able to discuss with other members of the community to build a shared understanding. It seems much more doable to me now." "Yes, it provided scenarios which can lead to open questions without raising anything personal." *A note for arts employers in Newfoundland and Labrador, this workshop is one means for an employer to "participate in training relating to harassment prevention,” as per section 24.2 (1) of the recently amended OHS Regulations under the Act – visit WorkplaceNL for more information. Handout: Canadian Code of Conduct for the Performing Arts |
Introduction to Intimacy Choreography
led by Siobhan Richardson (A and B Streams) Learn techniques and language to stage human sexuality, creating choreography that is dynamic and serves the story. This methodology focuses on specific and subtle details in choreography, employing acting techniques to keep partners connected, physically and emotionally. This approach allows actors to explore vulnerability within a dramatic context for the purpose of telling the story of the scene, which allows the scene to sustain both consistency in storytelling choices, and a safe space for all persons involved. Tools include:
The morning session for directors and managers will also look at various ways that directors and managers can support the work of Intimacy Choreography, for example, facilitating conversations, supporting the time needed for effective exploration of scenes of intimacy. We will also discuss:
Touching is part of the workshop, for instance, a handshake. Please note that there is no mandatory contact. The core concept of this work is physical, psychological and emotional safety. All touching is consensual, and participants are always invited to engage in the content to an extent that is useful for them. Full participation, stepping out of an exercise to audit and other variations are welcome. Handout: The Five Pillars of Rehearsal and Performance Practice |
Awkward Conversations
A lunch-and-learn with Tabitha Keast from PACT (A and B streams) The Respectful Workplaces in the Arts session discusses provincial legislation relating to harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying and the policies and procedures that your organization is expected to have in place. But what happens when your co-worker comes to you with an actual complaint? What are the essential steps in those conversations? Should you be the one leading it? In this lunch-and-learn session with Tabitha Keast, Human Resources Specialist with the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT), we will talk about the essential steps in an investigation and invite anonymous written questions from the attendees. |
Theatre Folk Social
Open to all At day's end, join us across the road at Bitters Pub with fellow theatre folks for some informal networking and unwinding. For those of you who may be interested in continued training in intimacy choreography and the process of certification, Siobhan will be facilitating that chat about this over at Bitters at 5pm following the sessions. |
Conference Schedule At-A-Glance
Monday February 24, 2020
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The Working with Respect conference will be held at the St. John's Arts and Culture Centre, 95 Allandale Road, St. John's, NL A1B 3A3. The Centre is fully wheelchair accessible.
WHAT TO WEAR
WHAT TO BRING
WHERE TO PARK
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Registration
There is no cost to attend this conference, but enrollment is limited to 24 per stream.
Conference registration includes morning coffee, break-time refreshments and lunch, as well as all conference materials. Participants will be asked to bring their own re-usable hot and cold beverage containers.
There is no cost to attend this conference, but enrollment is limited to 24 per stream.
Conference registration includes morning coffee, break-time refreshments and lunch, as well as all conference materials. Participants will be asked to bring their own re-usable hot and cold beverage containers.
Travel and Accommodations
No subsidies are available, per se, for out of town attendees; however, those traveling to the conference from out-of-town are encouraged to connect with us for assistance with arranging a low-or-zero cost billet for accommodations in St. John's, and/or in-town transportation.
No subsidies are available, per se, for out of town attendees; however, those traveling to the conference from out-of-town are encouraged to connect with us for assistance with arranging a low-or-zero cost billet for accommodations in St. John's, and/or in-town transportation.
Presenter Bios
JENN DEON
Jenn Deon is an artist, entrepreneur, feminist and activist. She has worked as an independent professional theatre practitioner for over 20 years and also operates as an accredited business communicator (ABC) with her company Jenn Deon Consulting Inc. She is a founder and current producing artistic director of the PerSIStence Theatre Company, a PACT affiliate member that uses professional theatre to respond to the persistent and universal need for promoting, understanding and embracing the core beliefs of feminism. As artistic director with the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival from 1995-2015, she directed many of its productions over the years, including a female-driven production of The Taming of the Shrew (2014) and an all-female production of Much Ado About Nothing (2008). In 2013, Jenn was a recipient of a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her community involvement, and received the 2018 Woman of Distinction Award for Arts & Culture from the YWCA St. John's. Jenn is committed to the expansion of respectful workspace practices in all environments and is very pleased to be a trainer for CHRC’s workshops on Maintaining Respectful Workplaces. Learn more at jenndeon.ca. |
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Conference Contact
The Working with Respect conference is administered by PerSIStence Theatre in partnership with the Arts and Culture Centres and is supported by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Cultural Human Resources Council of Canada.
For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or 709-743-7287.
The Working with Respect conference is administered by PerSIStence Theatre in partnership with the Arts and Culture Centres and is supported by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Cultural Human Resources Council of Canada.
For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or 709-743-7287.