EXCLUSIVE:Ciara Charteriswent todramaschool with her eyes wide open.
Born into a dynasty of talent agents, thePoldarkactress-turned-safety advocate grew up steeped in stagecraft.
I entered drama school with a lot of privilege and knowledge of the industry, she recalls.
Ciara CharterisAlexandra Cameron
It meant I was very aware of what was wrong immediately.
Its all about letting those things go in literal, practical exercise form, she says of her experience.
Speaking to Deadline as part of ourDrama Schools Uncoveredseries, Charteris says this environment created monsters among her classmates.
Ciara Charteris in ‘Poldark’
These individuals were empowered to take advantage of more vulnerable students all under the explicit instruction of tutors.
This was a troubling proposition for Charteris year group because men outnumbered women by nearly two to one.
This one was known as the rape mask, Charteris says.
If she wasnt walking out of mask classes in protest, she was fleeing some acting exercises in tears.
Female students were asked to line up and mime taking off their clothes.
Some people were not walked towards.
Myself and another classmate burst into tears and ran out, she says.
I cannot for the life of me remember the purpose of this exercise.
Of her male contemporaries, she says: We had some seriously dangerous people in our year.
When these figures were given these scenarios in a workplace environment, it was scary.
Charteris accuses tutors, both male and female, of behaving inappropriately.
She penned a valedictory letter raising her concerns to the school.
I have a very hard shell and feel very passionately about speaking out, she adds.
Royal Welsh received two sexual harassment complaints during this period, one of which was partially upheld.
Charteris story has echoes of an ongoing legal case brought against Royal Welsh by two female students.
They are claiming thousands of pounds in damages and a ruling is expected imminently.
Staff are trained in inclusive practice and intimacy work, to ensure the learning environment is safe.
Charteris thinks that safety and success are compatible.
The safer a student feels, the more artistic freedom youre going to find they have.
Eight years after leaving drama school, Charteris eyes remain wide open.
Click here to read more from ourDrama Schools Uncoveredseries.
