What happens if theatre actors get erections on stage

While erections on stage are rare, it's clear that they do sometimes happen.

But what actually happens if such a physical reaction takes place?

Well, in professional settings, actors are trained to manage such unexpected physical responses, with drama schools teaching the importance of physical control and stage discipline.

Performers may learn techniques such as shifting posture, adjusting blocking, trying out ‘modesty garments’ and dance belts or subtly repositioning a costume piece to minimise visibility.

On top of that, modern productions that involve intimacy often use intimacy coordinators.

Intimacy on Set, for example, provides guidelines for stage and screen to ensure scenes are choreographed clearly and professionally, with an aim of reducing awkwardness and protecting everyone involved.

Now, generally speaking, an erection on stage is treated as a human and biological reality more so than a disciplinary issue, unless, of course, behaviour crosses into misconduct.

What actually happens if an actor gets an erection during a theatre play? (Getty Stock Images)

Professional codes of conduct from unions such as Equity focus on consent and professionalism.

Daily Actor reported in 2014 that in the Off-Broadway play Intimacy, David Anzuelo performed a scene where his character turns to the audience with a real erection after being interrupted at his desk.

The outlet explained that there are 'union rules regarding what is allowable onstage', adding that the Actors’ Equity Association permits erections and nudity, though Anzuelo noted: "You can’t have sex onstage (or) ejaculate."

It's important to note that, while erections are not addressed as a specific category in the union rules, they would fall under the broader consent conditions for nudity and sexual content.

Meanwhile, The Stage’s Dear West End Producer column answered a fan question asking for advice on ‘unwanted on-stage arousal’.

The anonymous producer explained back in 2015: “Not only have I come across actors getting aroused in love scenes, I have witnessed them getting aroused in any scene. Personally, I think it’s the fault of drama training – no school offers a class specialising in ‘onstage erection prevention’ anymore, dear.”

Many actors have unfortunately found themselves getting erections while performing (Getty Stock Images)

They went on to note that, when performing, such a physical reaction ‘has to be controlled unless specifically rehearsed with the director’.

“Love scenes can obviously be difficult to rehearse,” they continued, adding: “It is very common during a run of a show that actors get to know each other well – and during love scenes it is only natural to start feeling close to the person you’re working with.

"This is fine, if it is all controlled – but it can be very embarrassing if a sudden involuntary muscle spasm keeps happening at awkward moments.”

According to the expert, the ‘best thing’ you can do to help remedy this issue is ‘to think of something that will stop your excitement’.

“In Stanislavski’s An Actor Prepares, he says that to avoid ‘theaterections’ the skilful performer will simply remember that they’re performing in front of an audience,” they noted, adding that the ‘main thing’ is to confront this embarrassment in rehearsals.

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