Actors use drama to educate Airmen on sexual assault prevention

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Eric Petosky
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England --  A professional acting company that specializes in teaching people about preventing relationship violence performed a play called "Remote Control" at RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall Feb. 28 and 29.

The purpose of the performances was to expand on Airmen's understanding of sexual assault, what consent in a sexual relationship looks like and how it hurts unit readiness and mission accomplishment. The play also discusses ways to be a responsible Wingman and how to intervene to prevent a sexual assault from occurring.

The plays were performed by actors of Deana's Educational Theater from Boston and are part of a two- week tour of U.S. Air Forces in Europe bases. The shows were mandatory for all Airmen in the grades of E-5 and below. According to Rebekah Downs, RAF Mildenhall Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, the age group represented by those ranks is most at risk of committing or being a victim of these types of crimes.

"Most victims fall between the ages of 18 and 25," she said. "It's more prevalent at that age, but it's definitely not exclusive. The performances focus on elements that are useful to everyone."

"The Yellow Dress" is a dramatic one-woman performance. "It illustrates the cycle of dating violence, and goes on to discuss healthy relationship decision making," said Capt. Heather Fennel, 48th Fighter Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.

The performance displays a young woman who tells her heartbreaking story of a relationship that goes from pure bliss to stark sadness and tragedy. She often interacts with the audience to ask for their input on what she should do in certain situations regarding the evolving relationship.

The two shows were presented live and allowed the audience to interact, according to Dr. Thomas Appel-Schumacher, Chief of USAFE Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program. "In this way, learning can come alive and be both heard and felt," he said.

The first show, "Remote Control," depicts dramatic dialogue and action that is very similar to what Airmen experience while socializing. During the show a remote control device is activated occasionally to "stop the action" and get the audience to determine what might happen next. The person with the remote control then rewinds the scene and the actors re-do the scene with a different outcome.

"This teaching method gets people involved," Dr. Appel-Schumacher said. "It gets them thinking and can change behavior much more than the frequently-used briefing slides."

"Again, this play deeply impacts viewers and makes them realize the horrible results of violence in a relationship," he said.

"I was very impressed with the quality of the plays," said Ms. Downs. "The actors are very professional. The performances were written specifically for a military audience, and I think they have the issues down."