Applied Drama: Reflection on the Practice and the Question

Authors

  • Bashiru Akande Lasisi University of Ibadan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18533/journal.v9i1.1822

Keywords:

Applied Drama, Drama for social and development issues, Using drama for development in Nigeria. Creative Actors Initiative for Development (CRAID) Enter-Educate approach in community development, Creative Actors Initiative for Development (CRAID).

Abstract

The drama has been variously utilised for entertainment, education, social engineering and therapy among others. The drive towards multidisciplinary has also endeared drama to scholars and practitioners in education and social sciences who practice Applied drama. Most studies conducted on applied drama examines its usefulness in solving social and developmental issues with limited attention paid to interrogating the concept itself. It is the objective of this paper, therefore, to interrogate the concept of Applied drama in order to determine its departure or otherwise from previous pragmatic usage of drama for social engineering.

The taxonomy of previous attempts at using drama for non-aesthetic purposes was conducted and compared with applied drama. Practical application to utilise drama for social and development purposes by a Nigerian Non-Governmental Organisation, Creative Actors Initiative for Development (CRAID) was also examined to determine whether they fall within the purview of Applied Drama. Data were subjected to critical analysis.

Infotainment, Edutainment, Enter-Educate, Theatre for Development, Political Theatre, Agitation Propaganda and Psychodrama are various ways through which drama has been deployed to interface with society. Applied drama is not radically different from these previous concepts in its purpose and operation.

Applied drama is a mutation of previous pragmatic usage of drama for social engineering.

The use of drama for the non-aesthetic purpose will outlive the concept of Applied Drama as it did the previous concepts.

Author Biography

  • Bashiru Akande Lasisi, University of Ibadan
    I am a Senior Arts Fellow in the Department of Theatre Arts University of Ibadan  and my areas of specialization is Theatre Management, Media and Performance Studies

References

Ackroyd, J. (2007) Applied theatre: An exclusionary discourse? Retrieved online on 30th May, 2015 from www.griffith.edu.au

Balfour, M. (2009) The politics of intention: Looking for a theatre of little changes. Research in drama education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance

Coaker, J. (2017) History of applied theatre practices. Retrieved online on 14 January, 2020 at www.prezi.com

Freeman, B. &Frija, N. (2014) ‘Finding a place beyond place in the Rouge Park project’, Applied Theatre Research 2(1), 49-60

Holzman, L. (2017) Vygotsky at work and play. Routledge. New York.

Kovacs, G. (2014) Applied drama and theatre-drama technique in teaching English for specific purpose. Retrieved online on 12 January, 2020 at www.researchgate.net

NYU Steinhardt Department of Music and Performing Arts. Applied theatre. Retrieved online on 26th of May 2015 on the institutions’ website at www.steinhardt.nyu.edu

Nicholson, H. (2005). Applied theatre: The gift of drama. New York: Palmgrave Macmillan

Osaghae, E. (2013) Culture and identity as research labels: the basis of a contested social science in African culture and Identity. Vol. 1 edited by Olajide Olorunnisola, Oyebamiji Babalola, Adeyinka Aderinto and Aderemi, I. Alarape. The Postgraduate School University of Ibadan.

O.Toole, J. (2007) Applied theatre new forms for new audiences. Keynote address at drama and theatre education conference, University of Taiwan, cited in Judith Ackroyd’s Applied theatre: An exclusionary discourse? opcit

Prendergast, M. & Saxton, J. (2013) Applied drama: a facilitator’s handbook for working in community. Intellect Ltd.

Prentik, T. &Pammenter D. (2014) Living beyond our means, meaning beyond our lives: Theatre as education for change. Applied Theatre Research 2(1), 7-19

Rasmussen, B. (2000). Applied theatre and the power of play-an international viewpoint. Applied Theatre Researcher, no.1 cited in Acroyd, J. (2007) applied Theatre: An exclusionary Discourse? opcit

Shu, J. (2011) Teacher as actor: future English teachers’ training in the natural approach using drama. Applied Theatre Researcher/ Idea Journal. Griffith University. Issues 12.

Skeiker, F. F. (2011) Performing orphanage experience: Applied theatre practice in a refugee camp in Jordan. Applied Theatre Researcher/ Idea Journal. Griffith University. Issues 12.

Ukaegbu, V. (2004) The problem with definitions. In J. Ackroyd and J. Neelands (eds), Drama Research, vol. 3

Wright, David. (2011) The pattern that connects: drama as a vehicle for ecological understanding. Applied Theatre Researcher/ Idea Journal. Griffith University. Issues 12.

Downloads

Published

2020-01-21

Issue

Section

Article

Similar Articles

1-10 of 640

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.