What are the current social issues in a culture? How can theatre help address them in meaningful ways? Going beyond the idea of theatre for entertainment, students analyse and critique scripts and forms of drama that address social issues. Students evaluate the effectiveness of contemporary theatre in addressing social issues and develop possible theatrical experiences that enable change.
Students learn how to identify and use types of contemporary theatre for engaging in social issues around them. They learn to think beyond the usual use of theatre to something that has the potential to change minds and hearts through intentional engagement.
Intentional use of theatre to address social change allows for the sensitization of the audience to matters that have often been left unspoken or unaddressed, and yet cause tremendous pain to those involved. This includes issues such as suicide and other mental health concerns, poverty, racism, and injustice. The power of theatre is such that is allows people to understand societal problems in a tangible, visual way, making the invisible visible and giving space for discussion and practicing change-making.
Scripture commands us to care for the oppressed and marginalized, to weep with those who weep, and to care for one another. In using theatre for social conscience, the course fulfills these biblical mandates.
In looking for solutions to problems and encouraging understanding of issues through theatre, students are enabled in their journey of bringing Christ into society and societal ills.
Appropriate theatre forms and content are the matter to be addressed. It is necessary to understand the culture and its artistic forms and languages in order to effectively contextualize the message of Christ when using drama as the tool of communication, whether it be your own context, or a cross-cultural one.
Drama is a wonderful way to explore different perspectives and relationships, and work through how to communicate in different environments and worldviews. Dialogue is encouraged across all the cultures that exist within the local church and communities.
This course gives a practical framework for using theatre to address social issues and bring about understanding and change.
Drama, by nature and definition, is an experiential medium. Students are equipped to take the lessons learned from the course and apply them directly in their local church or missional assignments.
