Radical Welcome

Would you like to host a Radical Welcome Symposium?

Here are a few ideas and pointers. Make it your own (and tell us about it!)

A symposium is not a conference

First item: A symposium is a gathering of experts. Everyone teaches. Everyone learns. A conference can be more of a “share out” where some speakers are paid, and where people who are not already doing the work can join in to learn about it.

Maybe (probably) the world will be ready for a Radical Welcome Conference in a couple of years. But for now, we’re suggesting symposia to gather and network, building on the people who are already working on changing the theater industry for the better.

Find your collaborators

One successful component of the first symposium was that it involved five different theater organizations as hosts, including a large community theater with an award-winning K12 education wing, an undergraduate theater, a graduate theater, a small professional company, and a large professional company. The leadership of these very different institutions had access to different resources and networks. This made the symposium, by its very nature, a gathering of people with diverse perspectives.

It’s also much more fun when we work together.

Everything must be consent-based

Consent work is the core component of Radical Welcome. People should be able to opt out of any activity without censure or social punishment. Every around-the-circle sharing should have a “pass” option. Even if you think people will know that they can choose not to do things…they will forget or feel reluctant. Say it every time.

Plan time for sharing and conversation

One format that worked well for sessions was to invite one person to share a tool or concept for about half an hour, and then spend half an hour inviting group discussion, generally in the realm of “When I faced a similar situation I used this other tool” or “Here’s a way that this tool from your context can apply in my context.”

We also had lengthy meal breaks, ample check-in time, and space for quiet conversations throughout the weekend.

Aim for diversity

In your invitations, try to get a diverse range of people. This is not just about racial or ethnic diversity (although, obviously, it does include these types of diversity). There are other life markers that shift people’s perspectives. Do you have a range of ages? Are you including parents and caregivers? Did you connect with disabled artists? Can you access a mix of urban and rural folks? Do people have a range of jobs in a range of types of theaters?

Radical Welcome is a movement that needs support and action from people in every kind of theater, from people doing fairy tales with elementary school actors to people spending millions to open a show on Broadway. If the conversation only includes people who have traditional or formal leadership roles, we’re missing important perspectives and allies.

Widen your lens.

Center the why

We’re doing this because we love theater. Make time to see shows together. Invite people to share tools they use in the rehearsal room and get on their feet and try them. Center the art. It’s the why.

Tell us that you’re doing it!

We’d love to share it. We’d love to come. You can reach us via our contact page.