Prior, R. W. (2010) Using forum theatre as university widening participation (WP) for social wellbeing agendas. Journal of Applied Arts and Health. 1(2), pp. 179-203. 2040-2457.
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Abstract:
This paper traces a case study of how participatory theatre is used to make a positive impact on the widening participation (WP) agenda for one particular university in the United Kingdom. The WP agenda is a philosophical position taken by the UK government to restructure access to Higher Education and is underpinned by notions of equality and diversity to improve social health. The project titled ‘H.E. for me…?’ is a joint venue between academic staff and students on a BA (Hons) Acting degree programme and several external partners. ‘H.E. for me…?’ aims to provide sixth-formers with helpful information and insights into life at university. This innovative approach to dealing with WP uses the well established convention of Forum Theatre in fulfilling objectives which give young people the opportunity to explore and interrogate HE related issues. Offered are accounts of the ‘lead in’ period and the ‘creative engagement’ phase of the project as well as the research outcomes. This paper identifies the impact of, and the lessons emerging from this early phase of what is intended to become an on-going programme and raises several pertinent issues relating to the ‘researchability’ of applied theatre
Uncontrolled Keywords:
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—— (2002), The rainbow of desire: The Boal method of theatre and therapy, London: Routledge.
Burton, B. and O’Toole, J. (2005), ‘Enhanced Forum Theatre: Where Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed Meets Process Drama in the Classroom’, NJ Drama Australia Journal, 29: 2, pp. 49–57.
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Pammenter, David (2006), ‘Devising for TIE’, in Tony Jackson (ed.), Learning through theatre: new perspectives on theatre in education, Oxon: Routledge, pp. 53–70.
Prior, R.W. (2009), BECOME Project: H.E. for me …? Pilot Project Evaluation Report, unpublished, Northampton: The University of Northampton.
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Subjects:
Creators:
Prior, R. W.
Publisher:
Intellect
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:
Date:
1 July 2010
Date Type:
Publication
Page Range:
pp. 179-203
Journal or Publication Title:
Journal of Applied Arts and Health
Volume:
1
Number:
2
Language:
English
ISSN:
2040-2457
Status:
Published / Disseminated
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