Volare Partners With WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, The Musical!
We are proud to partner with a national non-profit helping victims of domestic violence, to provide resources to those in need, as well as ensuring this story is told with the right fidelity. Storytelling helps us connect our own lives to those around us and to gain understanding of others’ experiences. Its ability to bring real issues to life also makes it a potentially powerful force for good, including cultural progress. Authentic storytelling requires confronting tough topics with the rawness they deserve, recognizing that what many experience in their everyday lives is far worse and more devastating than what is depicted theatrically.
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is grateful for its partnership with [Volare] and for the resources they provide to those living similar stories, not on stage, but in their daily lives. We hope the resources and reminders below are helpful and supportive.
content warning
This play includes themes of domestic violence and animal abuse. We recognize that witnessing these experiences may cause distress or activate challenging emotions for some of our audience members. We can be reminded about our own experiences, experiences of those we know, care for and love. We hope the resources and reminders below are helpful and supportive.
Supporting Someone You Know
Often, when people are looking into a relationship from the outside, things can seem “obvious”. As a viewer of this show, you may have instantly known the relationship between August and Marlena was abusive and may have made up your mind on what Marlena should or should not do. This can be part of human nature, however, we want to remember that each person is the expert of their own lives.
We want to encourage and uplift a person’s autonomy and power. This is crucial as domestic violence is based on someone asserting power and control over another person or people. Being part of someone’s support system means we want to facilitate a supportive and safe space. We do not have to agree or be happy about their decisions but we can still support them. For example,
We can communicate our concern and support for them.
We can provide them with information about domestic violence.
We can provide them with options available and have them choose what they want to do or what feels safest (i.e. call hotline, inquire about shelters, create safety plan, talk to therapist or someone else, etc.).
We can communicate that no matter their decision, we will still be there. Often, domestic violence can be very isolating and having people in your support system is crucial.
What Support Can Sound Like
“I’m sorry this is happening.”
“I’m worried about you; do you want to talk about it?”
“I looked around and found some resources, can I share them with you?”
“I’m not sure what to say but I’m here.”
What We Want To Avoid
Sometimes the best meaning things can have a harmful impact. No matter our intent, we can always be mindful of what we say and communicate. We want to be free from judgement, focusing on supporting the person. For example, we want to stay away from:
“Why would you stay?” - This puts the focus on the survivor’s actions versus the harm they are experiencing.
“If you don’t ______ then I can’t be friends with you anymore.” - This is replicating a power dynamic in abusive relationships. It is using coercion and manipulation in order to have someone do what you want them to do. And it furthers isolates people.
“Well, at least they didn’t _____.” - This minimizes someone’s experience. Abuse is abuse and there is no hierarchy. We want to validate people’s experiences.
Building Supportive Communities
Domestic violence is rooted in power imbalances, this is what allows this violence to occur and persist. The more we, as a society, talk about it, learn about it, and challenge these dynamics and imbalances, the closer we will be to ending the violence. Here are some ways each individual can be part of the goal of creating supportive communities for survivors and one where violence does not occur:
Start by believing and supporting survivors.
Learn more about trauma and share it with your community. NVRDC has a Trauma-Informed Education Project and we can support you in bringing this to your community.
Legal Professionals
Medical Professionals
Teachers
Members of the Media
Anyone else (bring us to your community recreation center, school, place of worship, etc.)
If you are someone who works with survivors of domestic violence or other forms of trauma, you can request a Vicarious Trauma training. Knowing how to take care of ourselves is crucial when building supportive communities.
Challenge when you see abusive behaviors in the media or in real life. This can be done in a variety of ways. Bystander intervention can be as direct or creative as you want/need it to be.
Some Reminders
At times, media can depict domestic violence in certain ways that may not always be accurate and can potentially cause harm. Here are some reminders that may have come up during the show:
Alcohol does not cause abuse. While folks who abuse and cause harm can drink alcohol, and alcohol can exacerbate circumstances, it is not a cause or an excuse. People are still accountable for their actions.
Animal abuse can sometimes be used as emotional abuse, manipulation and intimidation toward another person (when Marlena cares about animals, August hurting the animals can further the abuse toward her).
Mental illness does not cause abuse. We know that folks experiencing mental illness are more vulnerable to experiencing violence themselves.
When weapons are present, lethality does increase for folks experiencing violence. This should be taken seriously.
Trauma-Informed Storytelling
Storytelling is a powerful way to create a cultural shift in our society and uplift voices that are often marginalized and silenced. Storytelling can also be a way that survivors decide to engage in their own path to healing and justice. When those stories are stories of trauma and violence, there are some considerations to take. These stories are important and, as always, we want to ensure we are not causing further harm. Reminders include:
Consent and autonomy is key. When we are telling stories, we want to ensure everyone has agreed to what will be communicated or told. This can look like seeking consent from a survivor to ensuring all actors feel comfortable and safe in how certain scenes will be conveyed.
Creating a roadmap. When we know what to expect, our brain and body feel safer and nothing is a surprise. This is key when discussing difficult topics and material. For example, sharing questions before interviews, giving content warnings, etc.
All feelings and reactions are valid. During the process, how folks react, communicate or feel, may not match what we thought it would be. That is ok, the impact of trauma can be different for everyone.
Do your research. What are survivors and experts saying? Be mindful or spreading myths or harmful information such as victim-blaming tropes in stories. Stories shape society and as storytellers, we have the power to make an impact.
Ask for support. If you are an entertainment provider who wants to tell a story, consider partnering with a survivors’ rights organization to ensure the stories are trauma-informed and everyone is provided with resources and support. Ensuring you are taking care of yourself in the process of storytelling is also important, feel free to request a training on Vicarious Trauma.
Some Reminders
To hear a conversation on Trauma-Informed Reporting, check out our conversation with Alex Hannaford and Jeremy Young as part of season two of our TraumaTies Podcast.
If you are a member of the media (journalist, writer, reporter, etc.) and are interested in having a training on how your storytelling can be more trauma-informed, feel free to request a training here.
Resources for Survivors
Below are some resources for survivors of domestic violence. If you or someone you know is unsure about what they are experiencing, they can also access these resources for support, to ask questions or find out more information.
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
800-799-7233
Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network:
800-656-4673
Connect to chat here
NYC Domestic Violence Hotline:
800-621-4673
New York State Domestic Violence 24-Hour Hotline:
800-942-6906
Text at: 844-997-2121
Connect to chat here
National Network to End Domestic Violence: for general information and to learn more about domestic violence.
