Hypotheses: Theater as a Tool for Development/
Theatre as a Tool for Development
My research project was to investigate what elements need to be in place before an organization engages in using live, in-person performance as a tool for development, excluding performer training and theater techniques.
I drafted and worked from two hypotheses for my investigation:
- There are identifiable, pre-performance elements that make live-performance/theater, as a tool for development, effective/successful, beyond performer training and theater techniques:
- Theater-for-Development (TfD) works best as a part of an overall development initiative, or series of activities to significantly impact a particular issue; it does not work best as a "stand alone" tool.
- Effective collaboration with concerned stakeholders (other organizations, donors, and potential audiences) plays a fundamental role in the success of TfD activities. Such collaboration is strongest if support for and trust in such a technique has been cultivated among staff at the lead agency, among partner organizations, and among those for whom the TfD techniques will be used. Working with organizations with which the lead organization already has already established a relationship can also be key in TfD success.
- As with most development activities, TfD works best if certain institutional basics are in place: enough skilled, knowledgeable staff (paid or volunteer) with the time and commitment to be a part of the project, defined objectives, ongoing evaluation of efforts and the flexibility to make adjustments as needed, etc.
- Methods regarding outreach to potential audiences plays a key role in the eventual success of TfD activities.
- Engaging in the preparations for TfD activities can lead to institutional development, specifically regarding partnerships and networking.
You can also read online:
Questionnaires and further information are NO LONGER BEING ACCEPTED. Thank you to everyone who helped.
This investigation portion of this process is now over. The paper has been submitted to Open University. A version of the paper will be created for submission to a development-related journal. If the paper is published, I will post information about what journal it will appear in here.
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