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Devising Critically Engaged Theatre with Youth: Empowering Voices, Fostering Social Change

Ron Blair

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Published in Devising Critically Engaged Theatre With Youth: The Performing Justice Project

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Theatre has an inherent power to engage, empower, and provoke meaningful discussions. When used as a tool for youth engagement, theatre becomes a transformative force, allowing young voices to be amplified, critical thinking to be fostered, and societal issues to be addressed in a creative and impactful way.

The Importance of Critical Engagement

Critical engagement in theatre involves not only the creation of performances but also the critical reflection on the process and content itself. It encourages youth to question assumptions, examine biases, and develop informed perspectives on the world around them. By engaging critically with theatre, youth develop essential skills such as:

Devising Critically Engaged Theatre with Youth: The Performing Justice Project

by Marie Völker

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9706 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	374 pages

Critical thinking
Problem-solving
Communication
Collaboration

Devising with Youth: A Participatory Approach

Devising theatre with youth is a collaborative process where young people are actively involved in every aspect of the creation, from concept development to performance. This participatory approach allows youth to:

Share their stories and experiences
Explore social issues they care about
Develop their creativity and artistic skills
Build a sense of community and ownership over the work

Critical Reflection in the Devising Process

Throughout the devising process, critical reflection is embedded into the work. Youth are encouraged to ask questions, challenge ideas, and consider the impact of their choices. This reflection helps them develop a deeper understanding of the topics they are exploring and the artistic decisions they are making.

Critical reflection can take many forms:

Group discussions
Writing exercises
Feedback sessions
Post-performance evaluations

Social Change through Theatre

Theatre has the potential to be a powerful catalyst for social change. By engaging critically with youth, theatre can:

Raise awareness about important issues
Challenge stereotypes and prejudices
Foster empathy and understanding
Empower youth to take action in their communities

Examples of Critically Engaged Theatre with Youth

Numerous youth theatre companies around the world are using theatre to engage youth critically and foster social change. Here are a few examples:

Impact Theatre

Based in the UK, Impact Theatre creates theatre with young people from marginalized communities, exploring themes of social justice, identity, and cultural diversity.

Youth Speaks Silicon Valley

Youth Speaks Silicon Valley empowers youth from diverse backgrounds through spoken word poetry, using it as a tool for self-expression, activism, and social change.

The Groundbreakers

The Groundbreakers in Canada uses theatre and dialogue to address issues of racism, homophobia, and discrimination, giving young people the tools to become agents of change.

Devising critically engaged theatre with youth is an empowering and transformative practice that nurtures artistic expression, critical thinking, and social justice. By amplifying youth voices and fostering critical reflection, theatre becomes a powerful tool for positive change in society.

As we navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the need for critically engaged theatre with youth is more urgent than ever. By empowering young people to tell their stories, challenge norms, and envision a more just and equitable future, we invest in the future of our communities and the world at large.

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Devising Critically Engaged Theatre with Youth: The Performing Justice Project

by Marie Völker

4 out of 5