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I recently took a class titled "Performing for Change: Equity, Activism, and Radical Approaches to Performance", and boy did I learn A LOT. So I'm going to make a thread of some of my favourite moments from that class this semester. 1/
In our first lecture, we discussed an article by Mia Mingus' titled "On Collaboration: Starting with Each Other", and something that stuck with me from that article is the idea that our work as activists never creates immediate change - and that's okay. 2/
But what's important is that our work now WILL slowly create the change that's needed for later generations. It's easy to want to give up when you don't see immediate results, but it's important to understand that it will take time to undo the years worth of damage. 3/
Another thing I learned is how to be critical. As a UofT student, I have seen the same Land Acknowledgment being used in every lecture, every event on campus. But after analyzing the words, you notice the difference between what is sincere and what isn't. 4/
It's easy to make a standard statement and distribute that everywhere, but that defeats the entire purpose of land acknowledgments. As uninvited settlers on this land, it's important to consider the weight and consequences of our words and actions. 5/
Our wonderful professor, Jessica Watkin, provided us with an amazing resource to get information about that you may be occupying. By texting this number (1 907 312 5085) with a postal code, you'll get information about the original owners of the land. 6/
Another critical thing that I learned, specific to performance, is the different types of performance action that we can have in response to an incident, event, etc., that is happening around the world. 7/
The first is when your performance demonstrates the action (i.e., when you recount the incident). 8/
The second is performing a way where you, the cast and crew, and/or the audience can find a way to heal through the performance. 9/
And the last way type is creating a performance that suggests a new way to move forward - a form of reconciliation, a way to offer support, a way to prevent the incident from happening again, etc. 10/
One of the last things, and arguably my biggest take away from the course, is learning how to make changes in the way the theatre world has traditionally operated. Changes that make the art accessible for everyone. 11/
Some of the ways I've learned to do that is by having relaxed performances, offering subtitles, audio versions of the performance, creating transcriptions, and content warnings. 12/
This course has taught me a bunch about the ways in which theatre has traditionally operated and how we can change it for the better. It has taught me to be critical about the tons of information we consume on a daily basis. 13/
It has taught me to be more mindful of others, and also myself. As I bring this thread to an end I would like to acknowledge that my learning to be a more equitable individual has just begun, and the journey will never come to an end. 14/
