Stepping-Stones: Facilitating for Change Through Applied Theater

• In Event: Play-Building for Pedagogical Purposes: Performing Concepts of Person-Centered Care for Family Orientations and Staff Training

Abstract

We demonstrate how to transform the audience from the passive role of spectator into active participant. Österlind, (2008) argues that when it comes to problematic, embedded social patterns, “there are always several alternatives and that not one of these is right” (p. 75). Accepting the notion of choice means creating space for a polyphony of voices (Mackey, 2016) to inquire, debate and literally step into the theatrical world, allowing for the emergence of new patterns. The facilitator assists audience members in this process by questioning their responses as spectators, and assisting in co-developing alternatives. Through audience suggestions implemented by the performers, or through a re-presentation of a scenario performed by audience members, problematic behaviours can be reimagined.

Authors

• Kevin Hobbs, Brock University

• Dani Shae Barkley, Brock University

• Candice Kristine de Freitas Braz, Brock University

• Lindsay Detta, Carousel Players

• Nadia Ganesh, Brock University

• Kevin Hobbs, Brock University

• Bernadette Amy Kahnert, Brock University