"By training with a coach committed to respect based learning there is mutual understanding that personal boundaries are respected and your coach is committed to holding themselves accountable to industry best practices. We encourage you to read the AACE Member Guide and the Code of Conduct so that you are informed about what respect based training means." 

AACE Steering Committee

In addition to being signatory to the ASSOCIATION OF ACTING COACHES & EDUCATORS (AACE) Code of Conduct and abiding by Equity UK standard practices, I am also committed to creating a safe & confidential space where every performer can achieve their personal best and respectful learning culture of consent-based interaction. My expectation is that everyone in the learning environment is responsible for maintaining a respectful workplace where interactions must be consent-based and harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence will not be tolerated.

I believe that every performer and student should expect the following:  

1. A safe learning environment where all students and performers can thrive; 

2. To have anti-harassment, discrimination, and violence policies and procedures that are clearly communicate to students before or on the first day of classes, and followed for the duration of the course.

3. For educators to have a course curriculum that includes or incorporates aspects of anti-harassment training and education. 

4. The ability to set personal boundaries and engage in consent-based interactions. 

5. An educator that adheres to industry best practices when including content where physical contact or scenes of nudity, intimacy, or violence may be included. 

6. An educator who is mindful of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and builds this into their teaching. 

7. Resources for counseling and support when needed. 

In support of the above expectations, I commit to:  

1. Enacting policies, procedures, and education programs to maintain zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, bullying, and violence. 

2. Identifying a timely process to receive, respond and resolve complaints, and provide resources to counseling and support services where necessary. 

3. Being respectful, accountable, and honest, and upholding this Code to the best of our ability. 

As a member of Equity UK I also abide by their Safe Spaces statement:

“Every single one of us working on this project is entitled to work in a safe space: a space free of fear, a space free of bullying and harassment of any kind. We will work together honouring our differences and celebrating the gifts we each bring to the table. We will treat one another with politeness and respect at all times and, if we are subjected to or witness bullying and harassment, we will speak out knowing that our voices will be heard and we will be taken seriously. Together we can create a safe space.”

Actors Equity UK

This is a living document and is always being updated as and when the need arises. I am open to feedback and hearing what policies will make your creative space as safe and contained as possible.

PREAMBLE
I abide by AACE’s Code of Conduct. It also needs to be stated that it is my six years of psychotherapy training (the last two years were in experiential trauma therapy), in four different modalities with three years of working clinically with clients that defines my approach and responsibility to actors. While an acting coach or educator is focused on performance and technique, I am focused on supporting resilience and emotional capacity while keeping the mental health of the actor a priority. I do this by employing the Actor Care® model. A research-based approach to character development that operates on the cornerstones of Resilience, Boundaries, Defense Management & Self-reflection.

Actor Care® has been documented with case studies in my own practice and presented at conferences internationally. The methods I use are influenced by my psychotherapy training, but I am not a psychotherapist. I fill the space between acting coach, therapist, and Intimacy Coordinator. It's in this psychologically and emotionally vulnerable space where my work finds its niche. Where creativity meets vulnerability & commitment. Where I journey vicariously with the actor and meet them at their point of need supporting their journey ‘into’ and ‘out of’ their characters complex inner life.

AACE GUIDELINES STATE: No performer should be required to share private information, experiences or personal history during their practice. Educators should model for performers the kind of consideration and care they should practice with one another—and that they should expect from all their coaches, teachers and cast members.

In Actor Care® one focus is on drawing attention to the actor’s personal material in relation to the character they are portraying. This is integral to our work so that connections & boundaries between character and actor can be created & understood. Self-reflection is also an important principal. To this point, I will not ask you to share information that you are uncomfortable sharing or ask you to use your personal material as a ‘substitution’ for a character’s emotional life or situation. My reason for asking personal questions is to make you aware, if you are not already, of the similarities and differences that exist between your life and the characters life and the possibility that this could be triggering. I will always safeguard with resilience practices as needed and, as an Actor Care® Specialist, it is my responsibility to ensure my clients are present and grounded at the end of every session.

AACE GUIDELINES STATE:  Educators and coaches need to ensure they are creating a safe space before introducing or rehearsing the content, be prepared and skilled in handling the difficult and challenging interactions and discussions that may arise and be available to provide support, as necessary. Engage an intimacy director or co-ordinator to assist in teaching or coaching these kinds of scenes, unless you have taken specific intimacy training.

In addition to the above, I provide a safe, non-judgemental and contained space by;

1) informing you that everything that occurs in the session is confidential and stays in the session.

2)  reminding you that you are in charge of your work. As such you will always be asked to contract with me in each session as to what you would like to work on and not what I want you to work on. This is about respecting your development at your pace.

3) stating I am a member of AACE and I committed to building a safe and respectful learning environment, where interactions are consent-based, and free of harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence.

4) explaining what my work entails and the difference between Actor Care® and Acting Coaching.

5) explaining each step in the Actor Care® process and always asking permission to proceed.

If you'd like to raise concerns without fear of retaliation and/or are seeking advice you can do so discretely, without judgement and with complete confidentiality.

CONTACT:
Association of Acting Coaches and Educators International
aacesteeringcommittee@gmail.com

Acting-Coaches-and-Educators-Guide_rev_092921.pdf