Gender
Wise
GenderWise offers engaging, accessible and interactive trainings and consulting related to gender diversity in professional and educational spaces.
OUR STORYFounders Rachael Feldman (they/them) and Ania Upstill (they/them) started GenderWise as what was meant to be a one-time workshop for their grad school cohort in Applied Theater. After finding themselves in the position of the "token queers" of the department and a little exhausted with answering the same well-meaning but draining questions over and over, they decided to clear everything up that they have been asked and then some, and from there, GenderWise was born!
Since debuting GenderWise (or then, "unnamed gender diversity workshop"), we have grown into a company who aims to support not only other educators, but employers, caregivers, and theatre makers as well. Rachael and Ania have worked with clients including Lincoln Center Theatre; New York City Childrens’ Theater; New Victory Theater; Dancing Classrooms NYC; New Settlement Community Center and CUNY School of Professional Studies.
Conference Presentations include: Theater for Young Audiences USA 2024; Face to Face Conference 2023, NYC Arts in Education Roundtable; and The Annual BATS Summit 2022, New Zealand.
MISSIONUtilizing skills and pedagogical practices developed while studying applied theatre, we aim to make education around gender diversity accessible and relatable for all clients, regardless of familiarity with the content or with theatre.
It is our goal that every participant walks away feeling better prepared to support their TGNC colleagues/students/employees/etc, whether that be through changed policy, personal advocacy, and more. We aim to make our educational spaces safe and brave, fostering an environment where participants are free to ask the hard questions for the sake of personal growth.
SERVICESReady to get GenderWise? Have a look at our services below, then get in touch to book a free consultation. Let’s make the world a better place for gender diverse people.
We offer the following services:
GenderWise Standard 2hr Training
Consulting
GenderWise Tailored Training
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Rachael Feldman (they/them)
CO-FOUNDER and FACILITATOR
Rachael is a facilitator, teaching artist, consultant, and theatre maker based out of Brooklyn, NY. They hold an MA in Applied Theatre from CUNY School of Professional Studies where they focused on using theatre tools to explore consent, boundaries, and healthy relationships.
They work as a teaching artist with CUNY Creative Arts Team (CAT) and New York City Children's Theatre (NYCCT) where they focus on social and emotional learning with students ranging in grades from K-12. They also consult and facilitate trainings with Outsmart NYC, a non-profit that brings sexual assault prevention trainings to nightlife and bar staff.
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Ania Upstill (they/them)
CO-FOUNDER and FACILITATOR
Ania is a queer and trans performer, theatre maker, teaching artist and clown based in Queens, NY. They teach for Lincoln Center Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, Opening Act, Theatre of the Oppressed NYC and New Victory Theater.
A graduate of the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre (Professional Training Program), Ania’s recent work with their company Butch Mermaid Productions celebrates LGBTQIA+ artists with a focus on gender diversity.
Learn more at www.aniaupstill.com