In many Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) trainings, we often hear about the importance of empathy. We watch videos, listen to speeches, or participate in workshops that discuss what it means to be inclusive.
But how often do we truly feel it? What if there was a way to experience someone else’s life from their perspective?
Rachel DeSoto-Jackson, a DEI consultant and executive coach from Murrysville, PA, believes this is not just possible—it’s essential.
Imagine you’re in a training where you’re asked to play the role of someone who faces bias or exclusion every day.
You’re not just talking about it; you’re living it. This is the power of applied theatre, a method that Rachel has pioneered in her DEI work.
It’s not about theory; it’s about experience. With over $750,000 in grants to support DEI training, Rachel has shown that when we step into someone else’s shoes, real change happens.
The Power of Role-Playing
Role-playing is different. It’s not like the usual training. It’s hands-on and interactive. You get to step into someone else’s life, their shoes, and their struggles. You experience situations that may be unfamiliar to you.
But here, it’s safe. It’s controlled. You can explore different perspectives without fear.
Rachel puts it simply: “DEI work is not about teaching people what to think. It’s about guiding them to ask the right questions and feel empathy for others.”
Empathy is the game-changer. It’s the key that unlocks understanding. When you role-play as someone who is the minority, or the person facing discrimination, you start to feel their reality.
It’s not just head knowledge anymore. You live it. And that feeling? It stays with you. It opens your eyes to what others go through every day.
That emotional connection? It leads to real change. It shifts how you see the world. And it can change how you act, how you treat others.
Why DEI Training Needs Applied Theatre
Traditional DEI training often feels distant. Reading statistics, listening to long lectures, or watching videos can be informative, but it’s easy to tune out. There’s no emotional connection. Without it, real change is hard to achieve.
Rachel believes true empathy doesn’t come from a classroom. “Empathy cannot be taught in a classroom,” she says. “It needs to be felt, lived, and acted out.”
It’s about stepping into someone else’s world, understanding their struggles. When we role-play, we experience what others go through. It’s a powerful way to connect on a deeper level.
Think about it. Racial inequality, gender bias, ableism—these aren’t just concepts. They’re real issues. By living them out through theatre, we internalize their emotional weight. We feel the pain, the frustration, the hope.
The research backs this up. Studies show that experiential learning helps people remember and understand better. When we step into someone else’s shoes, we take those lessons with us. They stick. And that’s how we start seeing change in real life.
Rachel Desoto-Jackson (picture right) conducts a nursing simulation with students.
The DEI Struggle of Real-Life Application
DEI is not just a buzzword. It’s a real challenge that needs real solutions. That’s where applied theatre comes in.
Imagine a group of employees in a role-playing exercise. One person plays the role of someone who experiences a microaggression. Others play bystanders or the person making the comment. It’s uncomfortable. But that’s the point.
Through this exercise, people start to see how small actions can hurt. They realize how easy it is to brush things off, but also how important it is to step in and respond. It teaches us all to take responsibility for creating a more inclusive environment.
Rachel always says, “DEI is about action. It’s not just about learning; it’s about living it.” She’s right. When you act out these situations, you don’t just hear about them—you feel them.
This type of learning sticks. It sparks those “A-ha!” moments that inspire real change. And that’s what makes applied theatre so powerful.
Innovative Solutions for a Complex Issue
Rachel doesn’t just want to check off a DEI box. She wants to create change that lasts.
Through her consulting firm, RDJ Creative Consulting, she helps organizations with tough DEI challenges. From healthcare to workplace training, Rachel finds innovative solutions that actually make a difference.
Her work is personal. She doesn’t just give a one-size-fits-all solution. She develops strategies based on the real experiences of the people in each organization.
“DEI isn’t just about what happens in the boardroom,” Rachel says. “It’s about how the people feel and how we can create space for them to be their true selves.”
That’s the heart of it. DEI work isn’t just about policies—it’s about people.
DEI Is A Moving Target
DEI work is always changing. It’s not easy, but Rachel makes it work. She’s a pioneer in bringing applied theatre into this space.
Through her leadership with Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed, Inc. and the Smithsonian Latino Center, she has shaped the conversation about diversity in ways that make a real difference.
“It’s a moving target,” Rachel says. “You have to be flexible.” She’s right. The world is constantly evolving, and DEI work has to evolve with it.
Applied theatre allows Rachel to meet people where they are. It makes DEI training feel alive and dynamic, not stagnant.
Conclusion
DEI work is more than just checking off boxes. It’s about making real, lasting change.
Rachel DeSoto-Jackson from Murrysville, PA, is showing us how applied theatre can help us understand each other better. Through RDJ Creative Consulting, she’s teaching us to not only talk about diversity but live it.
Rachel’s approach is personal. She makes it clear that true empathy comes from experience. It’s not enough to just hear about someone else’s struggles.
You have to feel it. You have to step into their shoes.
This is the power of role-playing and real-life scenarios. It’s more than just a lesson—it’s an experience. And Rachel is helping organizations embrace that change, one scene at a time.
