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'Sex Signals' educates, informs, challenges Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nichelle Griffiths
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - More than 800 Airmen poured into the base theater during one of three showings of "Sex Signals," an improvisational comedy show here June 29. 

The interactive presentation educated Airmen on the common misconceptions of sexual assault and rape and how to handle unwanted sexual advances. 

For the past three-and-a-half weeks, the actors have been traveling to military installations across the Pacific, performing a total of more than 30 shows to educate, inform and challenge service members on sexual assault prevention. 

Catharsis Productions, the creators of Sex Signals explains, "The presentation differs from traditional sexual assault prevention programs in that it incorporates improvisational comedy, education and audience interaction to provide a provocative look at dating, sex and the core issue of consent." 

To ensure audience participation, each member was given a stop sign and was instructed to hold it up if and when a problem was detected during the act. 

During one particular scene, actress Courtney Abbott played the role of a stereotypical sweet, innocent and very passive young woman as actor Kyle Terry played the role of a young, aggressive male. Kyle repeatedly made several sexual advances. Courtney sat quiet and said little to nothing, but her body language was clear - the advances were unwelcomed. 

Audience members lifted their stop signs to indicate something was wrong with the situation and it needed to be evaluated. 

The scene informed Airmen what can often happen in one-on-one social situations and it taught the audience how to properly respond if ever faced with a similar situation. 

In the end, actors Courtney Abbott and Terry Kyle challenged audience members to get consent before engaging in any and all sexual activity every time. 

"The worst thing that could happen is that they say no," she said, "But it shows you actually care and you respect their decisions." 

The 90-minute play educated, informed and challenged Airmen in a comedic approach to the awkwardness involved in dating and sexual situations. 

"Our goal is not to change the minds of everyone in the audience," Mr. Terry said. "It's to open an honest dialogue about healthy communication and to keep that conversation open when we leave."