PROJECT
GOAL
The study explores the potential value of participatory theatre methods as a social research
methodology. The project aims to provide methodological innovation, road-testing and evaluating a
theatre model that, along with offering participating school communities potential avenues for
addressing issues relating to violence, may also prove innovative in how it can investigate and
understand the ways in which teachers and pupils in secondary school live with everyday violence.
METODOLOGY
The project utilises a theatre process called Social Theatre of the Affects, based on Theatre of the
Oppressed developed by Augusto Boal. This methodology views affect as a political term, both in
theory and in its application, seeking to overcome the dichotomy between emotion and awareness,
mind and body, social experience and subjectivity.
STAGES
1
NETWORK MEETING 1
Bringing together a network of collaborators to collectively discuss the criteria for evaluation, the
meeting uses participatory methods as a stimulus for discussion.
2
PILOT
The pilot project will test and evaluate the research contributions that emerge through the participatory theatre methods, assessing their use for investigating the reality of living with the constant threat and presence of violence.
3
NETWORK MEETING 2
Presenting the findings of the research to the network of collaborators, discussing the results and generating new projects.