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 Consent, communication & accountability in dance workshops- Dr. Shobana Vankipurame-mail: shobana@tejasvinatyalaya.com August 28, 2025 As both a dance enthusiast, budding dance teacher and a working professional, I recently rearranged my personal and professional commitments to attend a rare Bay Area workshop with a well-respected visiting artiste. I participated with genuine enthusiasm and deep respect for their artistry, eager to learn and immerse myself in the experience. Two incidents from this workshop have stayed with me - not as personal grievances, but as examples of how gaps in consent and communication can unsettle participants and diminish the learning environment. 1. Public Polling for Consent During the workshop, a video of me was posted by the organizer without my consent. No acknowledgment was given to my private message raising this concern. Instead, immediately a public poll on consent with a link to edited instagram reel (after editing me out) was created in the workshop's general WhatsApp group, causing mental anguish and embarrassment. Group polling for personal consent turns an individual's boundary into a public vote, places pressure on participants to conform, and risks creating an atmosphere where it is uncomfortable to maintain one's stance due to risk of exposure. Such matters are best handled discreetly and directly, in a private exchange between the organizer and the participant. To add to this, the guest artiste - likely in jest - selected in the poll that they themselves did not consent to being photographed or videotaped. While perhaps meant humorously, in the context of my concern, it only deepened the sense of mockery and discomfort and felt like an attempt to belittle my concern. 2. Post-Workshop music usage policy After the workshop ended, participants received a detailed music usage policy outlining restrictions on how the music and choreography could be used. While the intent was to protect artistic integrity, the timing and tone of the policy created confusion and anxiety. Participants come from all walks of life - from students to working professionals - and need clear terms and conditions before committing their time and resources to a workshop. Many may not be comfortable navigating grey areas after the fact and want to be able to perform or teach the pieces they have learned in an appropriate manner, without additional mental pressure or fear of overstepping boundaries. Receiving such rules only after the workshop had concluded replaced much of the excitement with uncertainty, leaving participants unsure of what was actually permissible. 3. The role of the organizer In both situations, the organizer kept themselves out of the direct conversation, allowing miscommunication and tension to build. As the central point of contact, the organizer's role is to set expectations clearly in advance, handle participant concerns directly and privately, and ensure that both the artiste's work and the participant's dignity are equally protected. When these responsibilities are not upheld, even the most well-intentioned events can leave participants feeling anxious, uncertain about their boundaries, and bracing for retaliation rather than being heard - taking away the joy from learning and leaving them demotivated in their pursuit of their beloved art form. I share these observations not to single out individuals, but to highlight the need for workshop etiquette that balances artistic integrity with participant confidence. Clear policies shared before the event, and a private, respectful approach to consent, can go a long way in preserving the joy and trust that make such learning experiences truly valuable. Dr. Shobana Vankipuram is a California-based board-certified family physician, Bharatanatyam dancer, and founder of Tejasvi Natyalaya. She blends tradition, storytelling, and spiritual depth in her performances, while guiding dancers of all ages toward excellence, joy, and pride in their heritage. |
