A code of behaviour for auditions, rehearsals and performances is expected to be drawn up. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Actors, performers, producers and directors are organising a meeting intended to draw up guidelines following the arraignment of veteran actor John Suda, who was charged with the violent indecent assault of a 22-year old actress.

The consultation meeting on Monday, August 3, organised by the Association for Performing Arts Practitioners, will be open to everyone “from aspiring actresses to old-hands” and a code of behavior for auditions, rehearsals and performances, will be discussed.

“These guidelines are also aimed at assuring the public that the industry believes in high professional standards,” Pia Zammit, APAP board member, told the Times of Malta.

She said Mr Suda’s arraignment shocked and angered people in the performing scene in Malta.

“It is important that we say that similar behaviour [as that reported in the court proceedings] is not common practice,” Ms Zammit stressed.

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

Though several theatre practitioners said the serious claims made went so over-the-top that it transcended ethics, the aim of the APAP meeting is to make people stop and think.

“If you think you’ll be in a situation where you may not be comfortable, ask for somebody else to be there,” Ms Zammit said.

Although she agreed with the suggestion of theatre studies academic Vicki Ann Cremona that actors training for a nude scene should be required to sign a consent form, Ms Zammit said: “I still think there needs to be more awareness and guidelines – it’s not just a matter of signing on the dotted line.”

It might not occur to directors that they would be putting themselves in potentially risky situations

She said some people in the industry might be taking a lot of things for granted.

“It might not occur to directors that they would be putting themselves in potentially risky situations – more out of ignorance than anything else. So we want to highlight the importance of being doubly careful.”

Essentially actors, directors and producers needed to follow the rules and regulations “of the land”.

Ms Zammit explained how the subject matter of a performance dictates certain practices.

“If we’re doing [the comedy show] Comedy Knights, then we hold many one-on-one sessions but there is absolutely nothing there that anybody could feel potentially uncomfortable with. However, if you’re doing, say, Equus, where there is a naked scene, it needs a completely different practice.”

She explained how in professional settings, there is no nudity at the audition stage.

“Even when you’re auditioning for a part which will require a nude scene, at no stage are you told to take your top or bra off. That only comes about when you’re running the play and you inhabit the character.”

It is only when the actor is immersed in the character, that the scene is normally rehearsed, “because it is the character which is taking the top off, not me”.

The APAP meeting will be held on Monday, August 3 at The Pub in Valletta at 7pm.