Theatre in Society: Theory and Practice

Course description

The main aim of the course is to theoretically and practically explore the forms of Applied Theatre that are related to society and its needs. The course approaches both theatrical and pedagogical approaches adopted in non-formal education and practices of contemporary performing arts and theatre genres that are applied with social and /or pedagogical purpose.

Priority is given to the internship of students in various social, educational and cultural institutions, where groups are gradually invited to conceive, plan, present, evaluate and reflect on a social theatre performance or a theatre/drama education intervention. In the course, the appropriate preparation /training of the theatre educator/facilitator is considered of major importance; the students are encourage to acquire theatrical and social skills so as to respond to social, non-theatrical environments and to strengthen different groups, communities and individuals. At the same time, emphasis is given to the artistic dimension of theatre, so that the students would be able to successfully interpret their performance in a public place.

The course can be supplemented by additional (optional) meetings related to the subject (excluding the required ones), which enrich the knowledge/experiences of the students: attending Theatre in Education programs (TiE) and professional theatrical performances for children and adolescents, participation in theatre/drama education workshops, discussions with invited theatre facilitators, directors and actors.

Learning outcomes

 Upon successful completion of the course, students are expected:

• to familiarize themselves with practices of the contemporary performing arts and professional theatre genres and, by linking theoretical training with practical application, to be able to use performing techniques of the post-dramatic, collective, participatory theatre and devised theatre in social and educational contexts.

• to be able to conceive, plan, implement and evaluate integrated theatre/drama education interventions and social theatre performances in a variety of social and cultural settings, combining the appropriate educational and social skills in each frame of reference.

• to acquire basic skills on acting, directing and dramaturgy, so that they can facilitate a theatre/drama education intervention and interpret their social theatre performance in a public space.

• to cultivate skills of empathy, respect for diversity, cooperation and critical thinking, in order to be able to meet the needs of each group they work with.

• to be acquainted with theatre as a performance event and to be able to gradually co-create and interpret in social theatre performance.

• to gain facilitating experiences in real group conditions as well as experiences of collective creation in a social theatre performance.

• to be equipped with a number of special methods, appropriate techniques and applications in the context of Applied Theatre, which facilitate education and empowerment of participants in wider educational, social and cultural contexts.

Assessment

Group assignment (planning and implementation/interpretation of a theatre/drama education intervention or a social theatre performance in an institution) and individual assignment (written paper). The course has a workshop-experiential character. Attendance of the class meetings is compulsory.

Teaching methods

Theatre/Drama workshops, Lectures (using ppt and video), discussion, reflection. 

Course material available at: https://eclass.uth.gr/courses/ECE_U_219/