The Not Ready for Bedtime Players Sexuality Education through Theatre at UMass Amherst

1. The Not Ready for Bedtime PlayersSexuality Education through Theatre at UMass Amherst Amanda Collings Vann, Community Health and Patient Educator, UMass Amherst Angela Bruns, Doctoral Student, University of Washington

2. The Troupe NRBP is a program of the Center for Health Promotion at University Health Services. The Players are a sex-positive, sexuality education theatre troupe that performs weekly on campus. Players are recognized campus and considered to be campus leaders Skits are funny and serious, but all are performed with the purpose of building knowledge and skills in the area of sexual health.

3. History • Formed in 1988 • The UMass Theater Department and the School of Public Health created and performed "The AIDS Follies“   • Emphasis on educational messages/skill building • Show topics include communication, safer sex, relationship violence, masturbation, sexual performance, sexual response, GLBTQ issues and bystander interventions • Scripts adapted and created to ensure inclusion of as many areas of sexuality as possible, while maintaining core messages encouraging safer and informed sex decisions • Players have broad variety of skills and education  • The current shows consists of approximately 20 vignettes.

4. Philosophy The Not Ready for Bedtime Players view sexual health as integral to the overall health and well being of college students. We respect all genders, sexual orientations and sexual identities. We support all people’s ability to make empowered choices that are safe, consensual and fit their cultures, values, and belief systems regarding sex and sexuality. Our goal is to offer a show that is inclusive, accessible and affirming to students.

5. Literature Review • Audience Outcomes • Positive attitude change toward people with HIV (Ergene, Çok, Tümer & Ünal, 2005) • Normalization of safer sexual practices (McIntosh, 2008) • Improvement in confidence to implement strategies that prevent the negative consequences of sexual activity (McIntosh, 2008)

6. Literature Review • Peer Educator Outcomes • Increased knowledge of STIs (Ernhardt, Krumboltz and Koopman, 2007) • Increased liberalization in attitudes toward same-sex sexual behaviors (Strange, Forrest, Oakley & the RIPPLE study team, 2002) • Increased confidence in getting what they want from sexual relationships (Ernhardt et al, 2007) • Increased interest in field related to human sexuality (Butler, Hartzell and Sherwood-Puzzello, 2007) • Improved group facilitation, presentation, and communication skills(Butler et al, 2007) • Increased peer counseling self-efficacy (Ernhardt et al, 2007)

7. Literature Review • Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1994) • People learn how to behave and how to change their behavior by observing others • Interventions that aims to change a behavior must equip a person with skills as well as self-belief that enables consistent engagement in the desired behavior • Effective sexual health programs • provide information • develop skills • build self-efficacy around those skills • create social supports for the desired health change

8. Outcomes for the Players • 17 unique Student Learning Outcomes for Players. • Different outcomes are assessed in various years using a variety of methods. • Willingness to Intervene Scales • Knowledge Assessments • CPE certification through BACCHUS • Participation in trainings (Ally training)

9. Outcomes • Increase knowledge and understanding of bystander intervention. • Demonstrate a willingness to act as a role model in the areas of social and reproductive justice. • Identify multiple safer sex strategies. • Apply leadership skills and communication skills to academic responsibilities.

10. The Players Say… • Being a member of this troupe helped me transition into college life and instantly gain twelve new friends. • I learned about… a lot of social justice issues that the Bedtime Players as a whole work to fight and fix. I learned more about myself, that I could be an ally and that I could encourage those close to me to become allies.

11. The Players Say… • The Bedtime Players… is, as cliché as it may sound, a family. While we are helping the community surrounding us, we also exist as a resource and support for those directly involved in the troupe. We are all friends. These friendships have been a means to educate myself directly about different cultures, lifestyles, sexual identities, race and gender experiences. • The cohesiveness of the directors and the cast make this not only a fun environment, but a learning environment; one that has provided me with techniques to connect better with my peers and my family.

12. The Players Say… • I am a first year this year and I was really naive and unaware of all the different things that could happen during/from sex. I never had a sexual education class in high school so hearing all this information was new and enlightening. The Bedtime Players really prepared me for different aspects of college as well through their variety of skits that really put my life into perspective. • Performing for my peers every week used to seem like a terrifying task but now I get enjoyment out of educating my fellow students. In this way Players has given me a certain self confidence that I did not have before.

13. What we see • Student Transformation • Ad Libs- Appropriate or Inappropriate? • Academic Skills • Writing • Critical Thinking • Public Speaking • Public Health Theory into Practice

14. A typical year • Fall Semester • Week 1: Meeting with returning players • Weeks 2 & 3: Auditions • Weeks 4-8: Training & Rehearsals • Weeks 9-14: Shows • Spring Semester • Weeks 1-5: Training and Rehearsals • Weeks 6-14: Shows

15. Training & Shows • Training Topics (and how we choose them) • Weekly Shows • Off Campus Shows

16. Data Informs Our Show • ACHA-NCHA data • STD testing data from UHS • Informs the creation of new skits, and topics to cover for academic year and summer performances.

17. Our Repertoire • 135 skits • 50 that we perform regularly • Writing new skits • Players independent study • Collaboration with campus partners • Directors as writers

18. Billy Mays does Glyde Dams Identified SLOs by Nick Delaney Students viewing this skit will: • Be able to identify the proper use of a dental dam/Glyde dam. • Be able to identify safe lubricants to use with a Glyde dam • Be able to identify where to buy Glyde dams.

19. Outcomes for Audience Students attending Not Ready for Bedtime Players performances will be able to: • Increase their ability to put on a male condom and use a dental dam correctly. • Identify ways to intervene if someone they know is in an abusive relationship. • Identify resources on campus relating to violence, sexual assault, sexual health and GLBT issues. • Identify ways to negotiate a sexual relationship and obtain consent. • Improve knowledge of safer sex, STDs/STIs, HIV/AIDS, emergency contraception, sexual performance, transgender issues, bystander interventions and homophobia(sexual and gender prejudice). • Define abstinence • Identify safer alternatives to intercourse. • Understand the risks and benefits of entering into a sexual relationship.

20. Data Collection • Paper Evaluations • Clicker Evaluations • Audience Reaction during and after show

21. The Skit “Homosexuality Is for Gays” gave me ways I could intervene if friends say derogatory things about a gay, lesbian or bisexual person. Spring 2009

22. As a result of the show, I know where to go if I have a sexual health issue Fall 2010

23. As a result of the show, I am more likely to utilize on-campus services Spring 2011 and Fall 2010

24. The show provided me with skills to negotiate sexual relationships Spring 2011 and Fall 2010

25. After attending the show, are you more likely to practice safer sex? Spring 2011 and Fall 2010

26. Selected Comments • People forget violence abuse happens in young couples, thanks for reminding them, and hopefully they will reach out when they see it. • Thank you, it was super funny and pertinent • Video Male, FTW • Gay dudes don’t wear orange socks, out of character • Act out lesbian sex, since people don’t think its possible • Rock On! P.S. It’s too soon for Billy Mays impressions • Nick is hilarious, and I want to be Jeff’s friend • Jeff and JD call me (phone number listed) • Hilarious- I couldn’t stop laughing- Very informative too. • Can you do something about peeing after sex- UTIs suck • Comfortable way to talk about sex • Loved the abstinence song! • LOVE LOVELOVE! Please keep it going it’s so important!

27. Thank You!