Revised August 19, 2021

This policy is designed to facilitate responsible decision-making, rather than censorship, in order to best support the choices we make in the Division of Performing Arts.  

In this document nudity is defined as the exposure of any person’s chest/breast, buttocks, and pelvic/genital area to the audience, cast members, and any members of the production team.

  1. Before casting, the faculty member, guest artist or student proposing nudity in a departmental event must provide a clear statement to the Director of Theatre (for Theatre) and Director of Dance Production for Dance, and Director of Opera for Opera as to why the nudity is critical to the artistic and pedagogic vision of the work via the proposal form. The proposal must also include a detailed description of the type of nudity desired. Discussion will take place between the proposer, the DEOs, Director of Theatre, Director of Dance Production, Production Stage Manager (PSM), and Production Director. The final decision will be made by the DEO or Director of Theatre or Director of Opera or Director of Dance Production. Submission of a request does not guarantee approval. This statement must be received and approved prior to auditions and/or casting for the project.
  2. Auditionees are clearly informed that nudity or semi-nudity may be required prior to the 1st audition. Nudity is not permitted at auditions.
  3. Performers who appear nude must sign a consent form (retrieved from PSM or Director of Production) prior to the start of rehearsals.
  4. The performers involved (those who are to appear nude, those who perform with them, and the crew who work backstage on the production) must be given a clear channel to express any concerns they have about the request in confidence with the acting program head, DEO/DOT/DOO, or PSM. They should also be made aware of other resources beyond the department if they end up feeling uncomfortable to question the request within the department.
  5. Clear and effective measures must be in place to preserve privacy for the persons being asked to be nude during rehearsals and performances. This may include adding additional personnel in the theater to make sure photos and videos are not being taken by any unauthorized persons.  
  6. Artistic renderings, paintings, photos, or video of nude performers, where the performer is recognizable, shall not be permitted in the production as a performance element without the Performer's prior written consent. A method will be agreed upon by the subject, artist, acting program head, DEO/DOT/DOO/DDP, and Production Director prior to the creation of the work as to what will happen to the material post production (i.e. destroyed, stored, etc).
  7. The public will be informed at the box office and at the door of the theatre that nudity will be a part of the event.
  8. A sign will be placed at the theatre door stating that the taking of photographs or videos is prohibited by law; it is also distracting to actors and audience. The house manager will be instructed to warn violators to stop; if they do not, they will be subject to prosecution.  Photographs of the production will be available through the department office.  If the director would like the audience to use their cellphones in the production it must first be discussed with the DEO/DOT/DOO/DDP and PSM.
  9. Photographers (or Videographers) taking publicity photos or documenting the production will not be permitted to include scenes with nudity or partial-nudity.
  10. Performers will not, while nude, mix with the audience.  The Theatre shall take necessary measures to insure that no member of the audience will be permitted backstage while any performer is nude.
  11. If multiple performers are nude they are not permitted to touch each other.  If the director would like the performers to touch preventative measures must be discussed and taken to prevent skin to skin contact.