Stares and Stairs

Stares and Stairs group

Stares and Stairs was a performance activism group formed in January of 2016 by Morgan Grady-Benson ‘18, Chi Chi Chang ‘18, Nell Sather ‘19, and Liz Dunn ‘18. After taking Lida Winfield’s J-term class, “Radical Humanity: Performance and Social Activism,” this group of students decided to challenge the culture of sexual assault on Middlebury’s campus through performance activism. Their estimated 10-12 performances between winter 2016 and spring 2018 took place in active party spaces; Atwater Suites, Social Houses, the Spring Concert, and an attempted performance at the Rites of Spring [An invite-only party held every spring by Middlebury’s secret societies/fraternities]. During performances four “performers” would stand spread out on a flight of stairs, in various states of undress, handprints in purple paint on their skin, not engaging verbally with those passing by and holding signs that read “I’m not asking for it,” “I’m still not asking for it,” and “Sexual assault leaves a mark.” Accompanying the “performers” were the “bodyguards” who engaged with audience members, managed their reactions in order to maintain a safe environment, and passed out slips of paper that gave information about the group, educational materials, and the date and time of their routine post-performance debrief and reflection discussion.