Innovative Practice 2019 on Independent Living and Political Participation
Using Theatre in Schools to Address Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities
| Name of Innovative Practice: | Forum Theatre |
|---|---|
| Organisation: | Keystone Moldova |
| Country of Implementation | Moldova |
PROBLEMS TARGETED
Discrimination against people with disabilities is a significant problem in Moldova, often linked to a lack of information about disability and people not recognising discriminatory behaviour.
SOLUTION, INNOVATION, AND IMPACT
Keystone Moldova uses the Forum Theatre method in schools and kindergartens to increase awareness of discrimination and its impact. Theatre practitioner Augosto Boal developed Forum Theatre in Brazil in the 1970s in which scenes portray incidents of social injustice that are relevant to the audience.
The character of The Joker interacts directly with the audience, encouraging them to develop alternative solutions to the situations presented. The audience can also interrupt and replace the performers to act out these solutions. All the actors are trained volunteers, both with and without disabilities. Performances help audiences understand various forms of discrimination and how to address them.
Forum Theatre follows up with the schools and kindergartens after the performances to measure the impact. This has included changes to school accessibility policies and teachers using Forum Theatre methods in their classes to address discrimination. People with disabilities report that the performances have led to greater support from peers, teachers, and parents to advocate for their rights.
FUNDING, OUTLOOK AND TRANSFERABILITY
Keystone Moldova has funded the Forum Theatre programme through external grants from 2012 to 2018. The main expenditure is training volunteers, which costs about €3,000 for 12 volunteers, and for play development. A single performance with 12 participants costs approximately €300.
Keystone Moldova started its first social theatre troupe, ‘Alternativ’, in 2012 and has added three regional troupes since then. Two additional regions in Moldova are looking to develop Forum Theatre troupes, but require funding to do so.
Since its development in Brazil nearly a half-century ago, the Forum Theatre method has been used in many different countries worldwide. The method is best replicated through partnerships with existing theatre troupes so as to benefit from their training and expertise. Once trained, volunteers can use the method in different contexts and to address other forms of discrimination.
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