DIRECTOR & INTIMACY COORDINATOR

Inspired by the startling results of the 2018 Tulane University Climate Survey on Sexual Misconduct revealing that 41% of female students and 19% of male students reported being sexually assaulted during their time on campus, a team of student performers and New Orleans artists have come together to address sexual violence on the University’s campus, creating a new theatrical work that explores student’s experiences.

Professor and GRP ensemble member Darci Fulcher, filmmaker Katie Mathews, Tulane Professor Jenny Mercein, as well as GRP members Shannon Flaherty, Denise Frazier and Chris Kaminstein, collaborated with Tulane students beginning in the 2018-19 school year to create this 90-minute show that follows 11 students through their Sophomore year of college. 

In addition, the Roleplay process was followed by documentary filmmaker, and project co-originator Katie Mathews. Over the course of the 2018-2019 school year, a group of professional and student filmmakers documented the creation process in an attempt to portray the social issues that college students grapple with today, and how art can be transformational in confronting these issues. The Roleplay documentary film is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2023.

*Photos by Joshua Brasted

Roleplay was made possible by support from the Newcomb Institute of Tulane University and the Donna and Richard Esteves Fund at the Newcomb Institute, Campus Health’s All-In Initiative, School of Liberal Arts at Tulane University Lurcy Grant, Nancy Rebold and Matt Rebold, and a Carol Lavin Bernick Faculty Grant. Early development of Roleplay was sponsored by the Hangar Theatre AIRS Residency.