Privilege, Bias and Racism

Uncomfortable Conversations: A Theatre-based Workshop Confronting Privilege, Bias and Racism in the Workplace

*This program can be facilitated LIVE or VIRTUALLY.

Many of us enter conversations about privilege, bias and racism with the best of intentions, but even the most skilled communicators can struggle to meaningfully engage family, friends and colleagues when it comes to these complex and emotional topics.

In this innovative workshop, Impact Interactive performance educators present realistic scenes that illuminate the challenges of speaking up for racial justice at home and at work. When tensions heighten, the scenes freeze and our experienced facilitators invite participants to interact with the characters to learn more about their thoughts, feelings and motivations. Together, we:

• Confront and identify some subtle (and not so subtle) expressions of privilege, bias and racism, and explore their impact

• Examine common challenges to constructive conversations about race

• Explore strategies to overcome common challenges, so that we can hold constructive conversations—especially when the going gets tough.

“24/7” Scene 1
Joanne is excited to discuss strategies for diversifying her all white department at the organization where she works.  But when Roger, her manager, announces that he’s already begun setting up interviews with “a few good guys he knows,” she quickly realizes that the diversity goals presented at the company’s annual meeting were just lip service.  Joanne’s attempts to engage Roger and her colleague, Craig, in meaningful conversation about equity and diversity at work are repeatedly undermined by the implicit and explicit racism expressed in their comments and attitudes.  When the conversation escalates, Roger abruptly ends the meeting, and Joanne is left feeling ineffective, disheartened, and alone.

“24/7” Scene 2
On a zoom call later that evening, Joanne finds herself embroiled in another challenging conversation with her sister-in-law, Louise.  Tensions heighten as their discussion about plans for an upcoming family gathering quickly devolves into a painful argument about fundamental differences in the way they view issues of race and privilege.  The scene freezes when Joanne must decide if she’s willing to compromise her beliefs in order to keep the family peace.

*This program was created to include both of the scenes above, but can be customized to focus solely on the work scene or solely on the home scene, depending on client needs.