Category Archives: Diversity
'Where's Safe?': The Interaction and Experience of an Interactive Theater Event
Donna Tromski, Ohio University
This qualitative research study explored the performance process, the various interactions, and the experience of the “Where’s Safe?” interactive drama event from the perspective of the actors, director-facilitator, and audience. Three performances were studied using participant observation. The three actors with leading roles and the director-facilitator participated in a tape-recorded interview in which they described the development of this production, their experiences with the production, and its impact on their lives. An assistant professor at Ohio University was also interviewed for her perspective as an audience member. A general meaning structure for the performance process, interactions, and experience of the performance events was defined. Identification of salient themes reflective of good and bad performances, safety issues, the learning that takes place for the audience, the impact the experience has on actors, characters, and the facilitator director, and the use of interactive drama as an educational tool to promote social change resulted. The interaction that occurred during and immediately following the performances were cited as a critical and pivotal component by all participants in the study.
Power Plays: Interactive Theater Demonstration
Kathy Devecka, University of Michigan
Interactive theater combines theatrical techniques with skills-based/problem-based learning. It is an intersection of phenomenology, sociology, social work, psychology and business/professional areas. The performance serves as a catalyst to spark discussion and explore difficult and complex issues. Theater provides a safe forum for discussion of ethical problems and a rehearsal for real-life ethical choices.
Performances consist of improvisations on carefully constructed scenarios, with the audience and the characters acting together to create 75 percent of the performance. Working through a facilitator, the audience chooses how the story will evolve and which issues will be pursued. No two performances are the same. The dilemmas we explore today focus on diversity, ethics and the workplace. “Power Plays” is about a group of students working on a group project, part of which involves preparing resumes and interviewing for a job. The audience interaction looks at: 1) how real/perceived diversity issues play a role in the job interviewing process and the workplace, and 2) how to deal with the ethical dilemmas this potential/real discrimination creates.
Student Relations: Perspective Gained Through Interactive Theater
Mason Martin, Ohio University
This research was conducted to explore and discover the possibilities of interactive theater in the classroom environment. Findings show that this form of theater may be more effective than conventional instructional methods to transfer the beliefs and goals of society to the youth in our classrooms. Such findings imply that this form of instruction may be dichotomous to the many influences of the media that this society deems undesirable. Facilitators with responsibility and a knowledgeable background may be able to steer our youth from such undesirable influences. Further research is needed to see the extent of that counter.