Year: 2005
Type: report
Abstract: This paper presents the findings from a study which explores the role of theatre as a\nsite for learning in a community context and how it can provide informal learning\nopportunities for young people experiencing social exclusion. The study involved\n'Actup!' a theatre group for young people on Leicester's Saffron Lane Estate and run\nby Speakeasy Theatre Company. Observations, interviews and visual records were\nused to explore practitioners' and young people's experiences of 'Actup!'\nThe research findings suggest that theatre as education has a number of important functions\nfor these young people. Using structured processes such as rehearsal techniques and\nexercises that involve the experiences of young people, theatre can positively contribute\nto the transmission of their skills development, influencing and supporting intellectual\ndevelopment, as well as empowering them to affect change in their own lives by opening\nup further education (FE) opportunities. This also highlights the importance of theatre\nas an art form and how its application outside of a formal education setting allows space\nfor the exploration of personal experience and self-reflection through a kinaesthetic process.\nThe paper concludes by recognising the need to undertake a longitudinal\nexamination of how theatre as education can support and transform young people\nexperiencing social exclusion and the importance of developing links between FE\nand other types of educational providers in developing learning provision that can\nprovide a pathway into further learning.
Source: Figshare
Author: Nalita James
Language: English
Subfield: Visual Arts and Performing Arts
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2531296606