The project 99 HEC FOR DIVERSITY aims  at collaboratively writing and performing an original 99-character play inspired by real-life stories and testimonies around diversity and inclusion issues (gender, ethnicity, religion, appearance, social background, sexual orientation, etc.)

How to be part of it ?

The project will run from January to June 2021. It is open to all the HEC community, students from all programs, teachers, alumni. And every participant can enter the project at any stage.

Activities will include story collection (January to March), writing workshops (April), acting (May, June)…

Join us

The challenge of diversity

Diversity is apparently acquired in principle. But the practices do not always follow, or with delay, this evolution. Discrimination, insulting remarks, violence … so many words that cover inequalities due to gender, origin, religion, physical appearance or sexual orientation while the means of action are still debated .. The Covid-19 crisis in particular offered a new illustration of the imbalance linked to social origins.
To fundamentally change mentalities, and therefore reality, relationships of respect and equality must be built early. Students are the citizens, men and women of tomorrow. They are the employees, entrepreneurs or self-employed of tomorrow. It is by reflecting and acting with them that lasting transformation can take place.
Even within schools and student groups themselves, social relationships, racial representations and gender relations are themselves complex and often sources of frustration, injustice, even violence and suffering.

Project steps

PHASE 1: COLLECTION

Gather stories and testimonies during 6 online debate sessions (6 x 90 minutes) on defined topics (gender equality, social or racial discrimination, etc.), with an external speaker or with a moderator and two « writers ». An online platform is also open to share stories.

Practical information

  • 6 online sessions  to take place in January, February and March 2021
  • You can either share your story, co-facilitate the online session or take notes

PHASE 2: WRITING

Highlight the individual stories by rewriting verbatim for the stage (short monologues) and deepening the reflection during 6 collaborative writing workshops. 1h30

  • 6 online sessions  to take place in April 2021

PHASE 3: COMPOSITION

Articulate the 99 monologues in the form of a play that will speak to everyone in 2 days (weekend) or 4 half days with a small group of students (6 to 8 students) involved
  • 1 weekend or 4 half days
  • Significant writing and/or theater experience required

PHASE 4.1: THEATER PERFORMANCE

Directing and performing the play with around thirty students, working on the incarnation of defined roles (voice, body, emotions, etc.) during 10-12 group theater workshops of 3 hours.

PHASE 4.2: VIDEO

Make a video that features the monologues of the play embodied by 99 students by setting up an  pop-up studio on campus for 4 days (the students are filmed one by one)
  • 10-12 group theater workshops of 3 hours
  • Theater association welcome
  • 1 half day in May June 2021

PHASE 5: FEEDBACK & ANALYSIS

Facilitate a time for sharing  feedbacks around the process and what happened, so that everyone really take ownership of the theme and envision possible futures.

  • 2h

Core team (TBD)

Registration