What are the most effective ways to communicate with performers who are experiencing personal issues?

I have found that empathy goes a long way toward establishing a rapport with people. It is one thing to sympathize with someone going through something in their personal life, but have you, figuratively yet genuinely, put yourself in their shoes and then imagine how you would like to be approached? That feeling of seeing the world (or an issue) through someone else's eyes and responding as if you were in that situation, that right there is empathy. It can help you establish rapport, build trust and create a connection that allows for effective communication from a human angle.

I read many comments that contain the word empathy. My learning is focused on the reality of empathy and the things I thought were empathetic but turned out to be something else. Like sharing a similar event that you went through and realizing you’re making it about yourself.

Skills that have successfully supported students when it's clear they're distressed include taking a pause to check in with the student. When doing this, you can assess what options you might pursue. This can happen while letting others work, or if the challenge has impacted everyone, finding a way to pause as a group. I've done this with a short creative visualization or a game they've played before to help ground the students. By acknowledging what's true, you're able to figure out how to proceed. The student will feel valued, heard, and sometimes that's enough. If not, give the student a break and come back to the work afterwards. We all need to have grace for each other. Sometimes that means shifting expectations and timelines.

Well begun is half done. The relationship building begins at the audition or the first day of class or rehearsal. Setting the tone, clarifying boundaries, and exhorting all to take care of their selves first are crucial demonstrations of care that will empower performers to honor their feelings and to act upon them productively. I like to provide various means to communicate to me—directly and indirectly—so that people feel safe to be open about their needs. Then, when the time comes, we’ve already built a relationship the encourages and supports.

In my experience, I have found that compassion, kindness, and honesty always works best. Also, remembering that we are on the same team, and we want the same success. When both parties are open to constructive feedback on how they can improve and assist each other, then both parties feel validated, and often, the best solutions come. Theatre is a collaborative sport!

It is important to recognize that context matters, and that a person may not be open to receiving support in a certain setting; and may not be open to receiving support from a specific person. In those circumstances, offer to connect the person to resources that can provide support in different, perhaps more culturally competent or trauma-informed settings. Know the support structures within your organization and community, and share this knowledge so that a person can find support within the context which works for their boundaries.

"A time and place for everything." This is especially true when striving for genuine connected communication. Choose your moments and settings carefully and purposefully so you don't end up aggravating the recipient or escalating an issue. If possible, create a time block for a specific time that is acceptable to both parties for smooth conversations and unharried communication.

One of the most effective ways to communicate is not by talking...it's by listening. A listening ear goes a long way toward smoothening out a conversation with someone who is going through issues. No one wants to hear you telling them how they've got it better than so and so when they are going through some upheaval in their lives...there's no reward for those who have it worse. A listening ear provided in thoughtful silence can make a difference.

Ask how the person wants you to listen, and keep that goal in mind. Do they want to just vent to get something off of their chest, or do they want your help in problem solving? Focus on their goal as you utilize active listening and empathy to listen. This can help ensure we are listening in a way that works for their current situation, rather than leaning on our own preferences--which may not be right for this circumstance or at this time.

Communication is sometimes hard when body language is misunderstood. I have been struggling with this aspect throughout the work year.

Honest listening, show empathy, WOW the guest, offering the guest the unexpected, and invite the guest for more opportunities. Be nice and polite and be welcoming. Let the guest speak, do not cut the guests conversation. Do not argue with guests. Not to be opiniated to guests is important. Here's an example: I am a Casino Resorts Security. A guest walking into my venue and said, "I walked the whole day on the strip, I am tired and I am thirsty." I would compliment this guest how valued guest he/she is. I would offer a chair to sit and go grab a bottle of water for this guest. I would ask the guest if there would be anything else he/she would need to assist. I would make sure the guest feel safe to go back into his/her room.

Communicating with others is effective when time is taken to listen & understand another person’s perspective knowing what they’re going through. When someone has a problem (business or personal), be willing to listen without interruption, with the exception to clarify or repeat something that may not have been heard. It’s rude & disrespectful to constantly interrupt someone, especially when they’re sharing something personal. Understand someone may be going through a difficult situation & may feel uncomfortable talking about it. Time is valuable and life is precious. Be careful with how you use yours. I lost a close friend to suicide in 2003. We got together a week before he died. Sadly, he didn’t say anything about his struggles.

Sometimes, we may want to support and, if this is welcome, try to provide pointers or guidance to the right person or resources that can provide the best form of support. Do what you can, with what is available, where you can.

If a performer is unable to do their job, trying to force them to will harm them or others on the production. Negotiate milestones of progress with the performer based on their specific situation, and prepare contingency plans for if those milestones can't be met. Understudies exist for these kinds of situations, and there is no shame in taking time away from work to address the needs of life.

Transparency is key. State what steps are being put in place to support the individual, and communicate about how the person can be supported in exiting the project if necessary. Be clear about the communication chains and protocols in place at your organization and support the individual in utilizing those. Acknowledge wrongdoing and harm when it occurs; apologize, and put practices in place to ensure it is not repeated. Be transparent about all of this. So often, our discomfort with fallibility gets in the way; we hide our efforts to make improvement, making it seem as though nothing is being done. Clarity helps alleviate fear of reprisal, communicates care, and lets collaborators know that their concerns aren't being ignored.

Assumptions can sometimes be made by looking the wrong way in front of a camera; however, I believe that the right timing and careful consideration from a nurturing community helps someone like me feel more confident about the future.

Having general, brief check-ins at the top of rehearsals is an excellent way to stay engaged and connected with your performers. That being said, rehearsal time needs to be spent working, not venting. Professionalism and kindness should lead the methodology of checking in with a performer. Do not pry beyond what they are comfortable sharing, and make sure you communicate and maintain your own boundaries for what you feel comfortable discussing with a co-worker.

Meeting people where they are is crucial to success in any collaborative setting. Understanding how to help others build their way to success is a crucial skill that comes from cultivating a professional, communicative relationship. Give people the space and support they need, as long as this support is not a detriment to the well-being of others.

Always remember, that communication is a two-way street. For effective communication to have taken place, there must be feedback from the receiver. This feedback is based on the receiver's comprehension of your message. If your message was not understood the first time, break it down into bite-sized nuggets, until the recipient(s) can understand the message you're trying to pass across. Keep it simple, clear and concise.