9.3 Performance and social engagement

Performance can be a powerful tool for social change, raising awareness and challenging dominant narratives. It can inspire empathy and action through storytelling and symbolism, giving voice to marginalized communities and fostering dialogue on important issues.

Community-based and applied theatre engage specific groups, addressing local concerns and empowering participants. These performances can catalyze collective action, develop skills, and promote self-expression, making the creative process as impactful as the final product.

Performance for Social Change

Raising Awareness and Challenging Dominant Narratives

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  Storytelling across social divides - Research Outreach View original

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  Peacebuilding Takes Many Shapes: Using the Arts to Foster Intercultural Dialogue in Brčko ... View original

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  Restorative Justice, Empathy, and Loving Engagement – Youth Voices View original

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Top images from around the web for Raising Awareness and Challenging Dominant Narratives

• 

  Restorative Justice, Empathy, and Loving Engagement – Youth Voices View original

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• 

  Storytelling across social divides - Research Outreach View original

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• 

  Peacebuilding Takes Many Shapes: Using the Arts to Foster Intercultural Dialogue in Brčko ... View original

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• 

  Restorative Justice, Empathy, and Loving Engagement – Youth Voices View original

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  Storytelling across social divides - Research Outreach View original

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• Performance can be used as a tool to raise awareness about social issues (inequality, discrimination, oppression) by presenting them in a compelling and accessible way
• Performances can challenge existing power structures and dominant narratives by presenting alternative perspectives and giving voice to marginalized communities
• Through the use of storytelling, symbolism, and metaphor, performances can evoke emotional responses and encourage empathy, potentially inspiring audiences to take action towards social change

Participatory Performances and Community Mobilization

• Participatory performances can engage audiences directly in the exploration of social issues, fostering dialogue, reflection, and critical thinking
• Performances can serve as a catalyst for community mobilization and collective action by bringing people together around shared concerns and goals
• The process of creating and presenting these performances can foster skill development, self-expression, and social connection among participants

Performance in Community Contexts

Community-Based and Applied Theatre

• Community-based theatre involves the creation and presentation of performances by and for specific communities, often focusing on issues relevant to those communities
• Applied theatre refers to the use of theatrical techniques and processes for non-artistic purposes (education, social intervention, personal development)
• In community-based and applied theatre contexts, performances are often devised collaboratively with participants, drawing on their lived experiences and perspectives

Empowerment and Addressing Social Issues

• These performances can serve as a means of community empowerment, providing a platform for marginalized voices and fostering a sense of collective identity and pride
• Community-based and applied theatre projects can address a wide range of social issues (health, education, social justice, environmental sustainability)
• The process of creating and presenting these performances can be as important as the final product, as it can foster skill development, self-expression, and social connection among participants

Social Efficacy of Performance

Factors Contributing to Social Efficacy

• Social efficacy refers to the ability of a performance to effectively communicate its intended message and inspire social change
• Factors that can contribute to the social efficacy of a performance include its relevance to the target audience, its emotional impact, and its ability to provoke critical reflection and dialogue
• The social efficacy of a performance can be enhanced through the use of participatory and interactive elements, which can foster a sense of ownership and investment among audience members

Contextual Influences and Evaluation

• The social efficacy of a performance can also be influenced by the context in which it is presented (venue, audience demographics, broader social and political climate)
• Evaluating the social efficacy of a performance requires consideration of both short-term and long-term impacts (changes in attitudes, behaviors, policies)
• Key indicators of effectiveness may include increased awareness and understanding of social issues, changes in attitudes and behaviors, and evidence of community mobilization and collective action

Performance Effectiveness for Engagement

Assessment Methods and Indicators

• The effectiveness of performance as a tool for social engagement can be assessed through various methods (audience surveys, focus groups, longitudinal studies)
• Key indicators of effectiveness may include increased awareness and understanding of social issues, changes in attitudes and behaviors, and evidence of community mobilization and collective action
• The effectiveness of performance as a tool for social engagement can be influenced by factors such as the quality and relevance of the performance, the level of community involvement and ownership, and the availability of resources and support for sustained action

Limitations and Enhancing Effectiveness

• While performance can be a powerful tool for social engagement, it is important to recognize its limitations and potential unintended consequences (reinforcement of stereotypes, exploitation of marginalized communities)
• The effectiveness of performance as a tool for social engagement can be enhanced through collaboration with other forms of activism and advocacy (community organizing, policy advocacy, media campaigns)
• Evaluating the effectiveness of performance as a tool for social engagement requires a long-term, holistic approach that takes into account the complex and multifaceted nature of social change