Art as a developmental tool for communications, education, and social action

Abstract

In order to minimise the negative impact of development on the local life and culture in rural areas, people need new coping strategies to deal with change. In the case of preventing HIV/AIDS, drug abuse and human trafficking, access to information can save lives. Theatre is as an effective method of raising awareness on such issues and can therefore play a key role in community education and development. Theatre is a non confrontational way of addressing problems. It makes talking about sensitive, and even normally taboo subjects such as prostitution, possible. After a performance, people can discuss the actions of the people in the play instead of criticising individual members of their village. They can test potential ways of problem solving on stage in front of the whole village and then discuss them. Daring to take action within the playful situation of a theatre play, villagers realise that they have just performed an action they could also undertake in real life. As created by Brazilian visionary, Augusto Boal, Theatre of the Oppressed (T.O.) is a form of popular community based education which uses theatre as a tool for social change. It's basic aim is to re-humanize humanity. Originally developed out of Boal s work with peasant and worker populations, it is now used all over the world for social and political activism, conflict resolution, community building, therapy, and government legislation. Designed for non-actors, it uses the universal language of theatre as a springboard for people and whole communities to investigate their lives, identify their dreams, and reinvent their future. Not a soapbox, T.O. invites critical thinking and dialogue. It is about analyzing rather than giving answers. It is also about "acting" (taking action) rather than just talking. With T.O., people can and often do discover empowering solutions to their own struggles. And they have a good time doing it!