Artist Rights and Safety

In this section, advocates and artists discuss the dangers faced by creative people in different situations around the world, from sexual harassment in rehearsal rooms to retaliation from governments in response to political art, and what we can do to protect them. Consider starting with Jessica Litwak’s 2018 series Artist Rights and Safety.

The Latest

We Can’t Build an Equitable Theatre While Ignoring COVID

Essay

We Can’t Build an Equitable Theatre While Ignoring COVID

by Taylor Leigh Lamb

21 March 2024

For a Resilient US Theater, Post-Pandemic

Video

For a Resilient US Theater, Post-Pandemic

A presentation of key findings from a transnational study on theatre during and after the pandemic.

Wednesday 3 April 2024

Resisting “Yes, And” Culture and Learning to Say No

Essay

Resisting “Yes, And” Culture and Learning to Say No

by Sara Božin

8 January 2024

Parent Artists & the Pandemic

Event

Parent Artists & the Pandemic

Nicole Stodard and Kaja Dunn, in partnership with the Parent Artist Advocacy League, led a Twitter chat navigating work/life balance and anti-racist activism as a #ParentArtist during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 Ubumuntu Arts Festival — Stop, Breathe and Live

Ubumuntu Arts Festival

Video

2020 Ubumuntu Arts Festival — Stop, Breathe and Live

A Virtual Celebration of Arts and Humanity, organized from Kigali, Rwanda.

Friday 17 July to Sunday 19 July 2020

Kigali, Rwanda

The Ubumuntu Arts Festival in Kigali, Rwanda presented their 6th Annual Conference & Festival livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network Friday 17 July to Sunday 19 July 2020.

a person seated at a desk with multiple screens

At Home and in Lockdown with Belarus Free Theatre

verity

healey

Essay

At Home and in Lockdown with Belarus Free Theatre

The Show Goes On

30 June 2020

verity healey examines how Belarus Free Theatre is making work during COVID-19 and dives in to their latest show, A School for Fools.

two miniature people balancing on a red brick in a desert.

(En)forced Mobility

On the Move

Video

(En)forced Mobility

A conversation hosted by On the Move, a cultural mobility information network

Tuesday 9 June 2020

Brussels, Belgium

On the Move — a cultural mobility information network — presented a conversation about (En)forced Mobility livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network on Tuesday 9 June 2020 at 10 a.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 14:00 UTC +0 / 15:00 BST (London, UTC +1) / 16:00 CEST (Brussels, UTC +2).

Safe Havens Freedom Talks: Ramy Essam and The Balaha Case

ArtsEquator

MOM

Video

Safe Havens Freedom Talks: Ramy Essam and The Balaha Case

Episode 1

Friday 5 June 2020

Egypt

Meet Ramy Essam, rock star, human rights defender and an important voice in the Egyptian revolution, in conversation on the Balaha case with Alfons Karabuda from UNESCO founded International Music Council (IMC), Andra Matei, Avant-Garde Lawyers – Defending Artists. Sanni Kahilainen, campaign leader and with Ole Reitov, consultant and founder of Freemuse as the moderator.

a large group of protesters with a Chilean flag

Theatremaking During Political Crisis

Essay

Theatremaking During Political Crisis

A Conversation with Chilean Playwright Guillermo Calderón

19 November 2019

ArtsEmerson Artistic Director David Dower speaks with Chilean playwright Guillermo Calderón about the ongoing protests in Chile.

Culture After #MeToo 

Video

Culture After #MeToo

A panel hosted by Játéktér Theatre Journal — Cluj, Romania

Wednesday 29 May 2019

Cluj, Romania

Játéktér theatre journal presented the panel Culture after #MeToo livestreamed from Planetarium Cafe in Cluj, Romania on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 29 May 2019 at 12 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 16:00 UTC+0 / 5 p.m. BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:00 CEST (Budapest, UTC +2) / 19:00 EEST (Cluj, UTC +3).

It Doesn't Have to be #MeToo

Event

It Doesn't Have to be #MeToo

Progress of Education and Prevention in The Theatre

In recognition of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Yvette Heyliger of the League of Professional Theatre Women and HowlRound Theatre Commons facilitated a Twitter chat to discuss about preventing sexual harassment, misconduct, and assault in the creative workspace.

From Kosovo

Essay

From Kosovo

A Playwright Who Provokes Change

4 April 2019

Karen Malpede sits down to talk with Kosovar playwright and provocateur Jeton Neziraj about freedom and theatre.

Theatre and Politics in Malawi

Misheck

Mzumara

Essay

Theatre and Politics in Malawi

2 April 2019

Mischeck Mzumara looks at the fearful realities of political involvement in Malawian theatre throughout history.

Performers on the set of 50 Shades of Gay

Performance of 55 Shades of Gay: Balkan Spring of Sexual Revolution by Qendra Multimedia (Kosovo)

La MaMa

CultureHub

Video

Performance of 55 Shades of Gay: Balkan Spring of Sexual Revolution by Qendra Multimedia (Kosovo)

Presented by La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club

Sunday 10 March 2019

New York City

La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York City presented a performance of 55 Shades of Gay: Balkan Spring of Sexual Revolution by Qendra Multimedia (Kosovo) livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Sunday 10 March 2019 at 12 p.m. PDT (Los Angeles) / 3 p.m. EDT (New York) / 19:00 UTC +0 (London) / 20:00 UTC +1 (Berlin).

From Gaza City to the Golden Gate

Jessica

Litwak

Essay

From Gaza City to the Golden Gate

A Call to the International Theatre Community to Join the Struggle for Cultural Justice

12 February 2019

With the bombing of Gaza’s last-remaining arts space—the Al Mishal Cultural Centre—in August 2018, Jessica Litwak and a group of international theatremakers are calling for justice.

The Politician as an Artist—Lecture and Conversation featuring Budapest-based Theatre Critic Noémi Herczog

CITD

HowlRound Theatre Commons

Noémi

Herczog

Video

The Politician as an Artist—Lecture and Conversation featuring Budapest-based Theatre Critic Noémi Herczog

with Philip Arnoult and Ramona Ostrowski

Thursday 1 November 2018

Emerson College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

The Center for International Theatre Development presented The Politician as an Artist—a lecture and conversation featuring Budapest-based Theatre Critic Noémi Herczog with Philip Arnoult and Ramona Ostrowski livestreaming from Emerson College in Boston on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Thursday 1 November 2018 at 9 a.m. PDT (Los Angeles) / 12 p.m. EDT (New York) / 16:00 UTC +0 (London) / 17:00 UTC +1 (Budapest).

A Global Network That Protects and Defends Artists at Risk

Essay

A Global Network That Protects and Defends Artists at Risk

17 May 2018

Julie Trébault and Laura Kauer García discuss the work that Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) has been doing to connect, defend, and protect artists worldwide.

Why Artists Should Pay Attention to US Visas, Policy, and Cultural Exchange

Matthew

Covey

Essay

Why Artists Should Pay Attention to US Visas, Policy, and Cultural Exchange

16 May 2018

Matthew Covey, founding director of Tamizdat, discusses why American theatre artists should be more knowledgable about US visas and policies, and describes how Tamizdat is working to support international artists performing in the US.

In Search of Lost Hope

Hjalmar Jorge

Joffre-Eichhorn

Essay

In Search of Lost Hope

Theatre Against All Odds in Afghanistan

15 May 2018

Theatre activist Hjalmar Jorge Joffre-Eichhorn reflects on the founding of the Afghanistan Human Rights and Democracy Organization, a political theatre group that has been working together for over ten years to create social change.

Artistic Freedom

Mary Ann

DeVlieg

Essay

Artistic Freedom

a Moveable Feast

14 May 2018

Mary Ann DeVlieg discusses different types of artistic censorship and organizations that are fighting globally for freedom of expression.

Taking Action

Jessica

Litwak

Essay

Taking Action

An Artist Becomes an Advocate

13 May 2018

Jessica Litwak, artistic director of the H.E.A.T Collective, explores the growing field of artist rights and safety, and talks about her dedication to “art of service,” the work that serves communities by facilitating creative personal and social change.

Five Grounding Techniques to Cultivate Resilient Ensembles

Molly W.

Schenck

Essay

Five Grounding Techniques to Cultivate Resilient Ensembles

28 March 2018

US director and health and wellness educator Molly Schenck describes five useful rehearsal techniques for ensembles to adapt when creating work around difficult topics.

Theatre and Power—a panel discussion

dunaPart

Video

Theatre and Power—a panel discussion

Thursday 30 November 2017

Budapest, Hungary

Trafó House of Contemporary Arts in Budapest, Hungary presented Theatre and Power— a panel discussion at dunaPart – Platform of Hungarian Performing Arts livestreaming on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Thursday 30 November 2017 at 10:00 CET (Berlin, UTC +1) / 4:00 a.m. EST (New York, UTC -5) / 9:00 a.m. GMT (London, UTC +0) / 11:00 EET (Bucharest, UTC +2) / 17:00 SGT (Singapore, UTC +8) / 8:00 p.m. AEDT (Sydney, UTC +11). In Twitter, follow @HowlRound for updates, and use #howlround.

Belarus Free Theatre's performance of Burning Doors

La MaMa

Video

Belarus Free Theatre's performance of Burning Doors

Sunday 22 October 2017

New York, NY, United States

La MaMa in New York City presented Belarus Free Theatre's performance of Burning Doors livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Sunday 22 October at 4 p.m. EDT (New York) / 3 p.m. CDT (Chicago) / 1 p.m. PDT (Los Angeles) / 20:00 UTC / 9 p.m. BST (London, UTC +1) / 22:00 CEST (Berlin, UTC +2) / 23:00 MSK/EEST (Minsk, Moscow, Beirut, UTC +3). On Twitter, follow @HowlRound, @BFreeTheatre, and use #BurningDoors to share your thoughts.

What is forbidden? About political theatre and politicisation of theatre in Poland

Dialog-Wrocław International Theatre Festival

Video

What is forbidden? About political theatre and politicisation of theatre in Poland

A debate about the dangers to artistic freedom

Friday 20 October 2017

The Dialog-Wrocław International Theatre Festival in Poland presented the debate What is forbidden? About political theatre and politicisation of theatre in Poland livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Friday 20 October at 16:00 CEST (Berlin, UTC +2) / 17:00 EEST (Beirut, UTC +3) / 3 p.m. BST (London, UTC +1) / 14:00 UTC +0 / 10 a.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4). In Twitter, follow @howlround for updates and use #howlround.

Why do we need theatre?

Dialog-Wrocław International Theatre Festival

Video

Why do we need theatre?

A debate about cultural institutions in tae world where the freedom of creation is endangered.

Thursday 19 October 2017

Poland

The Dialog-Wrocław International Theatre Festival in Poland presented the debate Why do we need theatre? livestreaming on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Thursday 19 October at 16:00 CEST (Berlin, UTC +2) / 17:00 EEST (Beirut, UTC +3) / 3 p.m. BST (London, UTC +1) / 14:00 UTC +0 / 10 a.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4). In Twitter, follow @howlround for updates and use #howlround.

Theatre and Democracy: Institutional Practices in Polish Theatre

Konfrontacje Festival

Video

Theatre and Democracy: Institutional Practices in Polish Theatre

The Polish Theatre Journal

Friday 13 October 2017

Lublin, Poland

The 22nd edition of Konfrontacje Festival in Lublin, Poland presented the discussion Theatre and Democracy: Institutional Practices in Polish Theatre with the Polish Theatre Journal livestreaming on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Friday 13 October at 17:00 CEST (Lublin/Berlin) / 18:00 EEST (Bucharest) / 4 p.m. BST (London) / 15:00 UTC / 11 a.m. EDT (New York) / 8 a.m. PDT (Los Angeles). Follow @HowlRoundTV and @konfrontacje on Twitter for updates.

Civil Debates # 5: Freedom of Speech Online with The Theatre Centre

SpiderWebShow

Video

Civil Debates # 5: Freedom of Speech Online with The Theatre Centre

Monday 21 November 2016

Toronto, Canada

SpiderWebShow Performance and The Theatre Centre presented Civil Debates # 5: Freedom of Speech Online livestreamed from Toronto, Canada on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Monday 21 November at 7:30 p.m. EST (Montreal) / 6:30 p.m. CST (Winnipeg) / 5:30 p.m. MST (Edmonton) / 4:30 p.m. PST (Vancouver) / Tuesday, November 22 at 00:30 GMT/UTC (London) / Tuesday, November 22 at 11:30 a.m. AEDT (Sydney). In Twitter, share your thoughts with #CivilDebates and follow @SpiderWebShow, @TheatreCentre, and @HowlRoundTV for updates about the livestream.