Four people have left St Kilda’s Red Stitch Actors Theatre within the past six months, one citing fears for her safety, amid a series of complaints.
This morning I went back to Yoga class, I hadn’t been in well over a week, I needed it. It let me reflect on the last couple weeks and a particular article, you might not all have seen yet, but I’m about to talk about it.
These last 6 months have been tough, to say the least. Confusing, upsetting, eye-opening and heartbreaking are some of the words I would use to describe it. There have also been beautiful moments of kindness, generosity, support and gratitude throughout, but the fact remains that... we need to talk.
I do not intend this to be a ‘woe-is-me’ post. I’m done with that. I’m done being afraid, ashamed, embarrassed and disappointed.
Just in case there is any confusion, I love Acting and Theatre and all the magic that comes along with it. Those of us who are lucky and talented enough to make the good stuff hold my highest respects. I find it to be a sacred experience and should be treated as such. I do not want to ‘ruin’ any establishment that makes it and respects theatre and those involved in making it as much as I do. But no dream or art is worth giving up or losing your dignity, your safety, your happiness, being shouted at (sorry ‘loudly disagreed’ with) or your basic human rights, no career is worth staying silent to mistreatment, injustice or flat-out bullying. So somethings need to change.
I do have good memories of my very brief time there, I am grateful for those and mourn the fact I won’t get to create more. It is disappointing this has occurred and every day I wish it was different. I wish I didn’t ease closer to the group of aspiring actors who changed career paths after their experiences (but, luckily, I don’t quit easily), that it was handled better, that my eye wasn’t avoided in foyers, that I wasn’t afraid to speak up.
Last year the Australian theatre community burst into support of #MeToo & #TimesUp, with the statement of solidarity that appeared within hours of its first publication, on almost every theatre companies site or Facebook page...one particular company remains silent still.
This isn’t just my story. I’m just the only one on the record. We need to talk about this.
If you experience bullying in the workplace, please be sure to contact your union immediately, I did and their support has been invaluable to me.
This is a confronting conversation to start, but those are usually the best kind.
Much Love and Support, as always,
Casey.
