Theatre schools working with students to identify industry harassment, bullying

In the wake of sexual harassment allegations against a high-profile Canadian theatre professional, Vancouver theatre schoolsare working with the next generation of talent and technicians to recognize inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.

Albert Schultz, former artistic director of Toronto's Soulpepper Theatre, resigned from his role Thursday after four women filed civil lawsuitsaccusing him of sexual battery and harassment.

• Theatre star Albert Schultz steps down amid sexual harassment allegations
• Actresses accusing Albert Schultz of sexual misconduct had to 'suffer in silence,' lawyer says

Theatre instructors at Langara College and the University of British Columbia spoke with On The Coast host Gloria Macarenko about preventing future incidents.

'It's pretty shattering'

"It's pretty shattering to think that one of our most high-profile artistic directors, at one of the most important theatres in the country, that these sort of things would be revealed about him," saidStephen Heatley,head of UBC's Department of Theatre and Film.

Heatley said he spoke with his students about harassment and was surprised to find out many of the young artists in his program didn't feel that they had the powerto stop a situation if they perceived it as inappropriate.

"As trainers, it is our job to continue to make sure they understand they don't have to put up with anything and everything," said Heatley.

Kathryn Shaw, artistic director at Studio 58 at LangaraCollege was shocked to hear about Schultz, but said the news was also very timely Studio 58 rolled out a new harassment and bullying campaign this week.

Not in our space

Not in Our Space is a set of standards established by theProfessional Association of Canadian Theatres and theCanadian Actor's Equity Association that provides guidelines for reporting harassment. Shaw said Studio 58 students will be held to these industry standards.

"Harassment and bullying will not be tolerated and we need to have a dignified and respectful workplace for our students,"said Shaw.

Students should report any questionable behaviour to their instructor or director and should expect that action will be taken.

Excited about support

"I am very excited about us adopting this policy," said Erin Palm, a student at Studio 58, "Not in Our Spaceexists in the professional world sowhy not, while you're training, adopt those policies now?"

Palm said she feels supported by the faculty because they have this set of standards in place for them and for incoming directors.

Heatleysaid working with directorsis critical to stopping industry harassment.

"We train directors as well and we are looking towardtalking to directors about what it means to lead a team safely and creatively," said Heatley, "We need to be talking about this all the time."

For both Shaw and Heatley, reaching young people is the key to change.

"We are starting to educate for the future of theatre," said Shaw.

"[Sexual harassment] has got to stop."

• 'It's terrifying': Acting students preparing to face sexual harassment in theatre
• 'I was being groomed to think this was normal': Actors sue director Albert Schultz alleging sexual harassment

With files from On The Coast and CBC News