Inquiry into mandatory anti-oppression course for white actors

The National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) has opened an inquiry into the use of a mandatory anti-oppression course for white actors that other racial groups were excused from.

According to reports in The Times, white actors rehearsing for the forthcoming play Make It Happen at Dundee Rep were told they required misogyny and oppression awareness training.

The training brief, seen by the newspaper, said the training “is not compulsory for people of colour or from the global majority, though their participation is entirely voluntary and welcomed”.

NTS offers performers and production staff anti-oppression training before rehearsals for new productions. A review was launched into this following a complaint by the Free Speech Union to NTS that the training treated “members of one racial group less favourably than members of others”.

The union has said the specific exemption for black performers implied the “training is only mandatory for actors of white, European ancestry”.

A spokesperson told The Times that anti-oppression training is increasingly being provided by organisations in the UK, before adding that the training “is not mandatory and there is no follow-up action for anyone who does not attend”.

“We acknowledge that use of the correct language around the offer of this training is important and this is currently under review,” the spokesperson added.