For Addressing the room in a Rehearsal Setting

Instead of saying:  “Guys, take your places.” or “Ladies and gentlemen… ———— Try: “Everyone, let’s take our places.” or “Company,” “Cast,” or “Actors and designers”

• This language centers inclusion and shared responsibility, helping everyone feel acknowledged as part of the group rather than singled out or excluded.

For Auditions and Casting

Instead of saying:“We’re looking for strong male/female actors.” or “This role is for girls/boys.” — — — — Try: “We’re looking for actors comfortable with this role.” or “This role is open to performers of any gender.”

• Using gender-inclusive language expands opportunity and focuses casting on ability and comfort, not assumptions about identity.

For Notes and Feedback

Instead of saying: “This should be easy.” or “You’re not committing enough.” — — — — Try: “Let’s explore another option.” or “What choice feels most available to you right now?”

• This approach encourages exploration rather than judgment, creating space for growth, curiosity, and artistic risk-taking.

For Movement, Voice, and Physical work

Instead of saying: “Stand up straight.” or “Project louder.” — — — — Try:  “Find a posture that supports your breath.” or “Let’s experiment with sending the sound forward.”

• These shifts prioritize body awareness and experimentation, supporting performers in finding techniques that work best for their own bodies.

For Energy, Focus, and Behavior

Instead of saying: “Stop messing around.” or “Pay attention.” — — — — Try: “Let’s reset our focus.” or “Let’s bring our attention back to the scene/thing we are working on.”

• Reframing redirection as a collective reset maintains respect while keeping the work moving forward productively.

For Accessibility and Participation

Instead of saying: “Everyone needs to get on the floor.” or “You must be memorized by tomorrow.” — — — — Try: “If getting on the floor isn’t accessible, choose another level.” or “Use a memorization method that works for you.”

• This language acknowledges diverse access needs and learning styles, making participation possible without shame or pressure.

For Consent and Boundaries

Instead of saying: “Just go for it.” or  “Don’t be shy.” — — — — Try: “Check in with your scene partner first.” or “You can opt out or ask for an adjustment.”

• Centering consent builds trust and safety, allowing performers to engage fully while honoring personal boundaries.

For Identity and Respect in a Performance Setting

Instead of saying: “Play it more masculine/feminine.” or “That choice is weird.” — — — — Try: “What quality are you exploring?” or “That’s an unexpected choice — tell us more.”

• These shifts encourage specificity and curiosity rather than stereotypes, supporting authentic and thoughtful creative choices.

For Learning and Process

Instead of saying: “We don’t have time for questions.” or “You should know this by now.” — — — — Try: “Questions help the work — let’s pause.” or “Let’s review this together.”

• Inviting questions reinforces that learning is ongoing and collaborative, not something to be rushed or assumed.

For Tech, Design, and Crew Language

Instead of saying: “Strong guys for load-in.” or “Just lift it.” — — — — Try: “We need people comfortable lifting this safely.” or “Let’s find the safest way to move this.”

• This language emphasizes safety and capability over strength assumptions, fostering a more inclusive and responsible work environment.

For Ensemble and Collaboration Work

Instead of saying: “Don’t break character.” or “You messed up the cue.” — — — — Try: “Stay connected to your scene partner/the scene.” or “Let’s reset the cue together.”

• Focusing on connection and repair strengthens ensemble trust and reinforces collaboration over blame.