Theatre Without Borders

In 2005 TWB and Coexistence International at Brandeis University began a 3-year affiliation under the auspices the Alan B. Slifka Program in Intercommunal Coexistence.

The purpose of this affiliation is to broaden the conversation and to deepen the inquiry exploring the intersections of theatre and peace building. TWB and CI will work together on the creation of an anthology documenting this intersection, a series of gatherings both nationally and internationally, and an intensive exploration of related topics with a core study group.

This project was initiated at the TWB Symposium in April 2005, which featured Dr. Cynthia Cohen from Brandeis University's Slifka Program in Intercommunal Coexistence. On May 23, 2005 a small group of individuals had an exploratory meeting, called Theatre and Peace Dialogue (I), to discuss further initiatives for those especially interested in using theatre in contexts of building peace. The next scheduled Theatre and Peace Dialogue (III) took place at the California Institute of the Arts as part of the CalArts interterm events during a four-day symposium exploring the relationship between theatre and genocide in ARTS IN THE ONE WORLD: A CONSIDERATION OF GENOCIDE, the dates were January 26 - 29, 2006. Brandeis and CI next invited study group members to present case studies at the IPRA (International Peace Research Association) Conference in Calgary, Canada, June 29 - July 3, 2006. Work now continues in preparation of an anthology dedicated to the documentation of theatre & peace building interactions around the world, scheduled for publication in 2008.

We would like to open up this conversation to include our colleagues around the world. We would like to be in contact with those of you who are living in other countries and would like to host dialogue groups on your own. We might look at some similar questions. We can share the results of these conversations with each other, and they will hopefully be the basis for a deep exchange if and when we ever get together.

HOW TO BEGIN A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ARTS & PEACE BUILDING IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Here are questions we devised at our first Theatre and Peace Dialogue meeting. They are divided into six main questions, and then some supplementary questions. If you have questions to add, please let us know. If you begin a conversation about the arts & peace building in your community, we'd love to know about it. Please feel free to contact us via the contact form.

MAIN QUESTIONS

• What is the relationship of the artist to the community and society?
• What is the concept of the artist in society?
• How do you see the relationship between theatre and peace building?
• What methods do you use to assess the social and political realities of communities you want to work in?
• When individuals and groups come together, how do you construct useful/creative/nourishing time together?
• How do you address the dynamics of power that inscribe the working relationships and the relationships between communities?

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS:

• Is there value in having artists from other countries working with you?
• If so, what?
• What are appropriate time frames for collaboration?
• What kinds of collaboration would you like to see?
• What is working well?
• What are some stories of success in using theatre for building peace?
• When you have the opportunity to reflect on your work, what questions arise?
• Do you have questions either about its efficacy or about ethical issues?
• What kinds of skills and frameworks from outside of the theatre would be useful for you?
• What kinds of conversations would you like to have with peace builders from around the world?
• What would you like peace builders, policymakers and funders to understand?

Related Links

• Arts for Global Development s an international volunteer based initiative with a purpose of furthering interdisciplinary, multisectoral, cross-cultural and creative approach in social change, and facilitating creative sector and stakeholders of development together empower socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and communities worldwide, particularly children, youth, and women.