"Unspeakable Acts and Know the Line"

Unspeakable Acts and Know the Line is a series of skits addressing sexual assault, relationship violence and alcohol issues that WesWELL sponsors during New Student Orientation.  This peer theatre piece was first performed at Wesleyan in 2002.   The performance is a powerful introduction to sexual assault and alcohol use on campus and provides a starting point for further discussion for this difficult but important topic.  Each year, the performers have put their own unique stamp on the piece(s) they perform, to make changes that help the audience understand the issues more clearly, and even add new skits.

Performers
Fifteen to twenty volunteers are needed. The more performers, the fewer parts each person would be required to play. Current students of all class years are welcome to participate.  Three skits require eight performers while the others are monologues or two-person dialogues.

Performance
These skits are performed as "reader's theatre", where the performers carry a script to refer to rather than fully memorizing them. Performers are encouraged to be familiar enough with the material that they do not need to read from their script verbatim. The setting is very minimal and no costumes are worn, allowing audience members to use their imaginations to fill in details, based on what they are hearing. 

Timeline
Unspeakable Acts and Know the Line usually has four group rehearsals and two performances during the week of New Student Orientation.  Performers must be available for ALL sessions to participate and are encouraged to rehearse on their own as well.

Sign Up

Volunteers are recruited and interviewed during the month of May.

Early arrival into housing
WesWell will sponsor you for an early arrival.  We must have your full commitment, Wes ID and housing assignment information by mid June in order to ensure housing accommodations can be made.

Acting Experience
No acting experience needed, just an interest in educating your peers and addressing sexual assault and alcohol use on campus. An ability to read with feeling and a strong voice help. 

Previous knowledge of sexual assault and alcohol issues
It is helpful to have some knowledge since students may see you as a resource once you have performed in the skits. WesWell can assist in providing resources to assist in learning more about sexual assault and alcohol if you are interested. 

Can I see the script before I decide? 
Yes. Contact Tanya Purdy to find out when you can stop by to view a script.