Introduction

The idea for this handbook started with the multiple inquiries and questions that followed Taiwo Afolabi’s successful undertaking of a socially engaged theatre project in a community context across different cultures, geographies, and age groups. Additionally, the idea came from his course “Theatre. Society. Change” and his research mandate (as a Canada Research Chair in Socially Engaged Theatre). This resource will focus on step-by-step processes for conducting community projects and how to ensure ethical guidelines are followed in working with communities. Further, we cite socially engaged theatre and/or applied theatre methods and tools such as storytelling, spoken word, drama, research-based theatre, verbatim, playback theatre, Theatre of the Oppressed, and site-specific performance. The lead author, Taiwo Afolabi, has worked extensively at Theatre Emissary International and its social enterprise, Mobile Research Lab, and co-author Friday Gabriel works with Taiwo Afolabi on numerous research projects at the Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre. Throughout the following chapters, we will be referring to some youth-focused projects, including the plays In Our Footsteps (Victoria, British Columbia), What’s in a Name (Regina, Saskatchewan), and Past Shadows, Present Shades (Regina, Saskatchewan)—all carried out by the lead author, except Climate Change Project (Otughievwen in the Niger Delta, Nigeria). These projects were conducted in the community (mostly among youth populations) and involved different stakeholders.

To get started, what is socially engaged theatre and why is it important? For the purpose of this handbook, socially engaged theatre is conceived as a form of performance and process drama that aims to spark dialogue, raise awareness or consciousness, and inspire action on social issues. It often involves community participation, collaboration, and interaction. Socially engaged or applied theatre (among various names given to it) are based on community involvement with a strong focus on social justice, with the goal being to galvanize dialogue and discussion and interactive and immersive practice. Socially engaged theatre is process driven, and can be engaged through multiple methods or forms such as forum theatre, playback theatre, invisible theatre, research-based theatre and community-based theatre, among others. Socially engaged theatre is critical because we can use it to mobilize, organize, and engage multiple communities across diverse contexts. It can be a powerful tool for social change by promoting critical thinking, empowering communities, and fostering empathy, understanding, and community engagement. Socially engaged theatre goes by different names and can be considered in different domains, including applied theatre, socially engaged performance, community art, arts-based research, or community theatre. Regardless of the nomenclature, socially engaged theatre has features rooted in community, relationality, and is meant to be process-driven.

Finally, as authors of this handbook, we carry multiple identities—as researchers, artists, administrators, pedagogues, facilitators, and community members. This means that we use some of these terms interchangeably throughout the book. Also, what we have written in this book is not new. We have assembled ideas from different experiences and contexts in addition to our own and created a space where anyone involved in community-based work (in our context, socially engaged theatre) can find useful information. This implies that the information in this resource book is open access and can be used across different disciplines and community-oriented endeavours.

—Taiwo Afolabi and Friday Gabriel

Regina, Saskatchewan