Educators comment on THE BYSTANDER!
“Tim’s dynamic performance was not only appropriate for our range of ages (gr 7-12), but also engaging enough so that all ages were able to access the material in meaningful ways!”
–Bob Thibault, Principal, Leland and Gray High School, Townshend, VT
This winter, Leland & Gray has taken on the important task of educating its students on the topics of sexual assault, teen dating violence, consent and bystander intervention. With generous support from the Women’s Freedom Center in Brattleboro and West River Valley Thrives, Leland & Gray was able to bring in Tim Collins, an expert speaker and solo performer. Tim performed a one-man show this February for the entire school in which he played five characters. The setting for his show was a college and he played three students, a brother of one of those students, a professor and an educational speaker. The premise of his show was a sexual assault that took place on campus during a weekend party. A woman was violated and no one stepped in to help, though there were plenty of witnesses. The main character, Brandon, a member of a sexual assault prevention club on campus, agonizes over the assault with his friends, brother and professor. Brandon is stunned when he finally discovers who photographed the incident. We learn from his brother the various reasons why a bystander might choose not to intervene in this situation or a similar one. These include fear of getting harmed or made fun of, insecurity about what exactly they should do to help and the belief that someone else will help instead. In a non-direct way, Tim encouraged students to think about what they would do in a situation like this and to also question whether or not they have contributed to the creation of a culture that has normalized violence and rape. Leland & Gray’s counseling department worked with Anna Mullaney of the Women’s Freedom Center to organize a series of discussions with faculty and students before and after the performance. Advisors stepped up to prepare students for this topic as well as debrief in groups after the fact. Overall, the show was moving and impactful; Tim encouraged all of us to consider the ways in which we contribute to “rape culture” and the normalization of violence toward all people, women in particular.
Please check out the WORKSHOP page on this website for information on all NEW workshops and trainings!
For more details, please email: info@timcollinsonline.com
Spring Tour 2017! NEW TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED!
Upcoming Performances:
March 14th- Rock Bridge Elementary School, Columbia, MO
March 14th- Midway Heights Elementary School, Columbia, MO
March 15th- Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg, MO
March 15th- Harrisburg Middle School, Harrisburg, MO
(Two performances)
March 16th- Hickman High School, Columbia, MO
(Two performances)
March 17th- Two Mile Prairie Elementary School, Columbia, MO
March 17th- Russell Boulevard Elementary School, Columbia, MO
April 3rd– SUNY Cobleskill, Cobleskill, NY
April 4th- Turning Dreams Into Plans Youth Conference, Randolph, VT
April 6th- Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, sponsored by the Women’s Freedom Center- more details TBA!
April 19th- Richland Community College, Decatur, IL
More dates in Iowa, Illinois, New York, Vermont and other parts of New England to be posted, soon!!
Pic from a recent performance at Russell Boulevard Elementary School in Columbia, MO! This performance sponsored by the Daniel Boone Regional Library.
“Our students and staff at Two Mile Prairie Elementary thoroughly enjoyed Tim’s performance. We were impressed by his ability to play a variety of characters that showed the impact of bullying on others. Bullying is hurtful and can lead to deadly consequences. Tim’s message not only helped students understand the impact of bullying, but also provided interactive strategies students can use when it happens. His performance was relevant, engaging, interactive, and informative! Tim’s message encourages everyone, young and old, to take a stand against bullying! Don’t be a Bystander!”
Check out this recent article in the Brattleboro Reformer:
http://www.reformer.com/stories/events-highlight-sexual-violence-awareness-month,503266?
BRATTLEBORO — Sexual violence can happen to anyone. April is Sexual Violence Awareness Month, not only throughout the United States, but also world-wide. Locally, the Women’s Freedom Center has planned several events on the theme of “Solidarity Without Borders.”
“We see this as a month-long community conversation, supporting survivors and ending rape culture,” said Shari (no last names are used at the Women’s Freedom Center). “Rape culture is the whole cultural backdrop that links a whole range of myths and stereotypes together, such as blaming the victim. The media glamorize sexualized violence. In on-going ways we all still live in a patriarchy around the world. Culturally, we’re comfortable hearing and laughing at rape jokes.”
Sexism is still so prevalent, Shari continued, “it’s a knee-jerk reaction to immediately question the survivor. The goal of our efforts in April is to shift responsibility away from the victim and hold perpetrators accountable. Perpetrators are the only ones responsible for sexual assault.”
The first event takes place Thursday, at 6 p.m., at the Brattleboro Museum, with actor and educator Tim Collins giving a benefit performance of “The Script.”
This one-man show, according to Collins’ website, “depicts Jay, Nick, Jeremy, and Chris, four young men at the edge of an incident” — a female classmate has been sexually assaulted. In the course of this engaging and powerful drama, the four characters grapple with their beliefs about masculinity, gender roles, and relationships and make choices that forever change their lives and friendships.
“Developed in conjunction with sexual assault prevention agencies,” the site continues, ‘The Script’ examines ‘rape culture’ and invites the audience to examine the language, media and attitudes that create an environment where violence against women and men is acceptable and normal.”
When he first started creating solo shows, Collins said in an email, they were “primarily comedic, dramatic, and political pieces. Around 2005, I began teaching acting to incarcerated young men in New England and the Midwest. I was moved by the harrowing, powerful stories of survival and perseverance that the young men shared, and was eager to create a theater piece that was relevant to their experience. From this experience came ‘The Script,’ the first of the educational shows I’ve written.”
The performance, suitable for adults and older teens, will be followed by an open community discussion. Suggested donation is $5.
“Tim was here last fall,” Shari said. “He’s offered once again to do this as a benefit for the WFC. His work is about the teaching of violent masculinity, exploring it from different sides. It feels so human. There’s clearly a message, but he avoids preaching. A toxic male peer culture contributes to sexual assault and the silencing of survivors, especially now with social media. That adds one more enormous ordeal if you’re up against a whole peer group, which is shaming them and scaring them into silence. After the performance, the community has the opportunity for a frank and inspiring conversation.”
It’s only with sexual assault that people question what a survivor says, Shari noted. “With anything else, say, if someone is robbed, people wouldn’t think of asking how the victim might have brought it on themselves. Sexual assault means accessing someone else’s body without their consent.
“Over 80 percent of rape survivors were raped by someone they know,” Shari said. “The WFC works with all survivors of sexual violence, female, male, and trans. And we welcome our male allies in this work, to end sexual violence in this country.”
For sexual assault survivors, the WFC offers hospital accompaniment, emergency transportation, emergency housing, safety planning, advocacy and a survivors support group.
Helping people to be active bystanders is another component of ending sexual violence.
“Sexual assault is an opportunistic crime,” Shari said. “Preludes to sexual assault can happen in social situations we all find ourselves in. Every time we look away, we miss that chance to do something. Being an active bystander means finding different ways we can support somebody in trouble in order to change the course of events. That’s where male allies can be incredibly helpful. They have unique access to having male conversations.”
The second event in the WFC’s April schedule, a new Men’s Discussion Group, will start on Thursday, April 20, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Brattleboro Co-op’s Community Room and meet every other Thursday to discuss a range of topics. Scott Kaltenbaugh, educator and male ally, will lead the group, which is open to all self-identified men who want to be allies for social change. The WFC will co-host until the end of May, after which the group will continue and evolve as participants choose.
The WFC’s final event in April is the Take Back the Night rally, march, and vigil on Thursday, April 27, from 6 to 9 p.m.
“This is a big event,” Shari said. “Take Back the Night marches in April have been going on for decades around the world. This year we’re partnering with groups from Bennington, Vt., and Greenfield, Mass. We’ll meet at the Brattleboro Common as a place to come together. People should bring protest signs and banners. Then we’ll march through town. There’ll be singing and chanting. We’ll be peaceful and boisterous, and make some righteous noise through town.
“Then, back on the Common, there will be a candlelight vigil,” Shari continued. “Vermont Sen. Becca Balint will be our main speaker. Then people can speak, and we’ll bear respectful witness. There is strength in numbers of a committed community. All are welcome to the march and vigil. It’s a chance for us to help fortify each other and share mutual resolve to be brave, speak out, and work for change.”
The WFC is a local organization in Windham and Southern Windsor Counties working to end domestic and sexual violence. The group’s free and confidential 24-hour crisis line is 802-254-6974 (Windham County) or 802-885-2050 (Southern Windsor County). Information is available on Facebook at Women’s Freedom Center or at www.womensfreedomcenter.net.
“Tim’s work is about the teaching of violent masculinity, exploring it from different sides. It feels so human. There’s clearly a message, but he avoids preaching. A toxic male peer culture contributes to sexual assault and the silencing of survivors, especially now with social media. That adds one more enormous ordeal if you’re up against a whole peer group, which is shaming them and scaring them into silence. After the performance, Tim provides a talkback, an opportunity for a frank and inspiring conversation.”
-Shari
Advocate for the Women’s Freedom Center
Brattleboro, VT
April 4, 2017 WFC advocate Shari is joined by performer Tim Collins to discuss benefit performance of The Script and April 27 “Take Back the Night” event.
“In THE SCRIPT, Tim Collins examines the roots and manifestations of men’s violence. This show should be seen by as many young men in the US as possible, certainly on college campuses everywhere. Tim addresses the sources of sexual violence against women and illuminates how men’s socialization can sometimes prevent men from feeling and expressing emotions in supportive ways.”
John Ungerleider, Ed.D.
Professor, Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation
SIT Graduate Institute, VT
“Tim brings great energy and understanding to his work with students. His versatility in addressing varied topics and being both a facilitator and performer is impressive. Tim seems to have a natural affinity for kids and they respond well to him. I think we’ve all seen presenters who have a lot to share but do not connect with youth audiences. Kids connect with Tim easily and he, and they, learn together as they explore challenging issues. I was particularly impressed with his captivating “one-man show,” living out the realities of bullying and its many victims. His ability to jump between roles brings all the more power and urgency to understanding how bullying has impacts beyond just the particular incident or those most directly involved.”
Rick Gordon
Director, Compass School
Westminster, VT
“Tim Collins returned to Brattleboro, Vermont recently to perform The Script. I sat in the audience stunned by his ability to inhabit characters so completely, to transform himself into so many different and familiar men. I was reminded of the essential “tool” that is performance art. The Script offers a unique opportunity to understand masculinity and gender from multiple perspectives. At one point I found myself moved to tears by the raw vulnerability of a boy calling out for his father’s guidance. How one show can illuminate so much “raw material” continues to elude me, but I feel like I have been taken by the hand and given the opportunity to witness landscapes so powerful, so unforgettable that I wish I could have taken photographs. I now live with that perspective inside of me. It transforms how I understand the lived experience of genders other than my own.”
-Donna Macomber, Women’s Freedom Center, Brattleboro, VT
Picture from the ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP at the TURNING DREAMS INTO PLANS Youth Conference in Randolph, VT– April 2017!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
May 18th- Spoede Elementary, Ladue, MO
July 6th- School For International Training, Brattleboro, VT
July 7th- The House Of The Good Shepherd, Utica, NY
July 10th- Oneida Indian Nation Summer Jam, Oneida, NY
July 12th- CAC Clubhouse, Sherrill, NY
July 12th- Utica Public Library, Utica, NY
July 13th- The House Of The Good Shepherd, Utica, NY
July 13th- YWCA, Utica, NY
August 17th- Millikin University, Decatur, IL
More tour dates TBA!
June 1st marked the nine year anniversary of touring educational solo shows around the country. Since 2008, many tens of thousands of students, activists, military personnel, and educators have seen one of the shows! Very exciting! Thanks so much to all the many individuals who have supported my work. See you at a show!
“Tim blends the best of story-telling, theater, and activism to engage communities in sexual assault prevention. THE SCRIPT gets at the very roots of rape culture by examining conventional masculinity’s harmful impact on us all. It’s a unique and thoughtful performance, and also gives the audience a chance to have some courageous conversations afterwards.”
Shari, Community Outreach Advocate, Brattleboro, VT
