Actors should be clearly informed what the training for a nude scene involved and be required to sign a consent form, according to a theatre studies academic.

“You cannot take me into a room and say you’re going to take your clothes off. There has to be consent. A serious company would definitely have an ethics form or a consent form – it’s what happens in the professional world,” Vicki Ann Cremona, associate professor in theatre studies at the University of Malta, said.

Prof. Cremona was reacting after television and theatre actor John Suda, 64, was charged on Sunday with the violent indecent assault of a 22-year-old actress.

We have to be careful with nudity – none of us in Malta are professional actors

Mr Suda’s lawyer has said that the actor was preparing the woman for a part in which she would seduce men through sexual advances, parts of which would be played semi-nude.

The prosecution alleged that Mr Suda had locked the room they were in, asked the 22-year-old to wear a blindfold and undress, claiming it helped her overcome her inhibitions “and be a better actor”.

‘A serious company would have ethics/consent form’

Eventually they both ended up naked, and the accused allegedly put her hand on his private parts as he asked her to give an accurate description of what she felt, the victim claimed. She filed a police report three days later.

This case has concerns from parents of young aspiring actors and spurred a debate in the theatre world on what could be done to prevent similar incidents.

“An actor has to be fully conscious of what he or she is going to do – that is professionalism. At no stage should there be any element of surprise... The actor has to be in total control,” Prof. Cremona said.

She compared an acting coach to a doctor. “Doctors explain to you exactly what they are going to do... And when the doctor is not sure, he brings the nurse inside,” she said, adding that individual coaching and auditions should, at the very least, be carried out with an open door.

She stressed that trainers should have “an ethical sense” and if not, they “have to be taken to court” and suffer the consequences for it.

She said the law had to protect minors’ interests and that in the case of consent forms should cover all legal aspects for those over 18.

Asked if she felt there should be a regulating body to monitor drama companies, she said: “What we need is for companies and people to act professionally. If not, then take them to court.”

“We don’t need yet another regulator. The law has to provide for this or we’ll go back to censorship.”

At no stage should there be any element of surprise

Theatre producer Adrian Buckle agreed, saying it was important for drama companies to have a code of ethics. “There is no need for a regulatory body. We don’t need more boards: the court is that.”

Alan Montanaro, academy principal for Helen O’Grady, said franchise drama schools had very stringent monitoring on teachers. “Parents are entrusting us with their children at the end of the day.”

The incident, he said, was “so over the top” that it went beyond ethics. “I’ve never heard of anyone having to touch the director or a teacher.” He questioned whether in cases like this a consent form would be enough. “But what if, when you ask for it, the director shows you the door and tells you there are a hundred other people waiting for the part,” he said, adding that perhaps the time had come to set up an actors’ union.

“We need a union, now more than ever,” Mr Montanaro said, especially with the recent wave of plays that included “nudity shockers”.

“We have to be careful with nudity – none of us in Malta are professional actors. If you’re naked on stage in front of an audience, that remains with you all your life,” he said.

The Lisa Maria Foundation

The Lisa Maria Foundation was set up last year, following the tragic death of Lisa Maria Zahra, 15. Her drama teacher, Erin Tanti, was taken to court and accused of encouraging and assisting her to commit suicide.

The foundation was set up by her relatives with the aim to ensure that the best practice policies, codes of ethics and behaviour, recruitment procedures, and training and support frameworks are in place so that the interactions between professional adults and young people are safe, positive and enriching.

Three not a crowd

The Malta Amateur Dramatics Club said there were always more than two people in the room when auditions were held.

“You have the artistic director, or a representative, the director and the person auditioning – at the very least,” said MADC Artistic Director Marylou Coppini.

Other drama companies said that one-to-one coaching and auditioning was not the norm at all in the theatre world.

Where do you draw the line in acting?

Actor and vocal coach Roger Tirazona said such stories reflected negatively on the profession.

“People start questioning: where does one draw the line?” he said, adding he had never experienced, nor knew anyone who experienced, individual coaching.

“There has to be full, informed consent just like when you go to a doctor. For example, if I’m going to teach breathing and there has to be physical contact I tell them: ‘There’s going to be physical contact so I can show you how to expand your diaphragm while breathing. Are you OK with this?’,” he said.

‘Nude scenes handled very sensitively’

Actress Jo Caruana, who had a nude scene in the play Equus, said she had never been placed in a situation where she felt uncomfortable.

“I really cannot stress how sensitively everything was handled – in a group setting so that we were all comfortable.”

She was also upset by comments (on social media) that actresses had to do “certain things” to get roles. “Not once have I ever felt uncomfortable rehearsing or auditioning for any production in Malta.

“As a young actress you’re eager to show what you can do, to be given a chance. Sometimes you do have to stretch your comfort zone – but as an actress and not as a person in the rehearsal room,” she said.