Projects

What is Forum Theatre?

‘Forum Theatre’ is an interactive theatre form where members of the audience step on stage and try to help the main character solve a problem of social relevance. The technique is widely used around the world in community and social outreach work.

In a typical production, a main character tries unsuccessfully to overcome some form of oppression or injustice that the audience will be familiar with. After the play has been performed once, a facilitator known as ‘the Joker’ discusses the problem with the audience. The play is then performed a second time and audience members are invited to intervene directly in the action to try and help overcome the injustice or solve the problem. In other words, members of the audience step onto the stage and into the world of the play. The other actors try to prevent this person from solving the problem. The technique is sometimes referred to as a ‘rehearsal for reality’ as it provides a safe environment in which people can explore possible solutions to personal and social problems. Unlike much theatre, Forum does not try and give a message to the audience. It doesn’t try to tell people what to think. Rather, it creates a framework in which they can do their own thinking.

Objectives

To train students at Bethlehem University in the use of community theatre techniques and their application in furtherance of social outreach work.
To provide basic-level students in local schools with an opportunity to explore in a safe environment the likely consequences of enrolling or not enrolling in secondary education.
To provide dropouts and basic-level students with a space in which they can comment on the educational system.
To provide participating university students with an understanding of applied Child Rights issues.
To help participating children to realize key rights.
To help University Students learn and internalize pedagogical concepts capable of providing a balance to the prevailing trends of rote learning in Palestinian education.
To draw teaching staff at participating schools into a debate on students’ perceptions of the educational system. To explore with them the potential for child-centered learning to better meet the needs of students.
To highlight the potential of Forum Theatre as a tool which might be adapted by local Community Based Organizations (CBOs), and others involved in community, social, youth or theatre work.

Why Using Forum Theatre?

Form Theater is used to help local people think about Palestinian education, as well as will focus on students who drop out of secondary education. It will invite audiences to consider the likely consequences of enrolling or dropping out. We hope the following questions and others will be raised by the performance;

Why do so many teenagers choose to drop out of education after 10th grade?
Is that necessarily a bad thing?
What sort of things happen to young people who drop out of education?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of staying on in education?
Does Palestinian education really serve the needs of young Palestinians today?
What makes a ‘good’ education?

Who is involved?

Fifteen students will work together to deliver the project. These students will be drawn from the Education Department and from other faculties. They will be guided by the two project directors. Click here for more details about the participants.