THA210 — Community Theatre: Lecture Note

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LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Course code: THA 210 Course title: Community Theatre Course credit load: 2 Units List of Series: • Series 1: Foundations of Community Theatre in Africa • Series 2: Participatory Approaches and Methodologies • Series 3: Researching and Engaging Host Communities • Series 4: Playmaking, Scenario Building, and Rehearsals • Series 5: Performance, Documentation, and Feedback Management 1 Foundations of Community Theatre in Africa Series outline • Part 1 (1.1): Historical Background of Community Theatre in Africa o Sub-Part 1.1.1: Origins in Traditional African Performance o Sub-Part 1.1.2: Colonial Influences and Shifts in Theatre Practice o Sub-Part 1.1.3: Post-Independence Growth of Community Theatre • Part 2 (1.2): Theoretical Perspectives on Community Theatre o Sub-Part 1.2.1: Participatory Theatre Theory o Sub-Part 1.2.2: Theatre for Development Frameworks o Sub-Part 1.2.3: Critical and Cultural Theories in African Contexts • Part 3 (1.3): Community Theatre as a Tool for Development o Sub-Part 1.3.1: Social Mobilisation and Awareness Creation o Sub-Part 1.3.2: Education and Behavioural Change

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS o Sub-Part 1.3.3: Empowerment and Community Ownership Introduction Community theatre in Africa has always been closely tied to the everyday lives of people. Rooted in oral traditions, music, dance, and storytelling, it has historically provided a platform for communities to express identity, share knowledge, and address social concerns. Over time, it has evolved to respond to colonial influences, independence movements, and contemporary development needs. The aim of this Series is to provide you with a strong foundation in the historical, theoretical, and developmental aspects of community theatre in Africa, so that you can critically analyse its origins, frameworks, and applications. We shall commence this Series by examining the historical background of community theatre in Africa, beginning with traditional performances, then considering colonial influences, and finally exploring post-independence growth. Next, we will move on to theoretical perspectives, including participatory theatre, theatre for development, and critical cultural theories. Finally, we will conclude by analysing community theatre as a tool for development, focusing on social mobilisation, education, and empowerment. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 define the historical origins of community theatre in Africa, • SLO 1.2 explain the impact of colonial and post-independence contexts on community theatre, • SLO 1.3 describe key theoretical perspectives that underpin community theatre practice, • SLO 1.4 analyse the role of community theatre in social mobilisation and education, • SLO 1.5 evaluate how community theatre empowers communities and fosters ownership.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.1 Historical Background Of Community Theatre In Africa 1.1.1 Origins in traditional African performance Community theatre in Africa began with oral traditions, which are cultural practices of passing knowledge, stories, and values through spoken word, music, and dance. These performances were communal, meaning that everyone participated either as performers or as audience members. They were often tied to festivals, rituals, and storytelling sessions, making theatre inseparable from daily life. Traditional African storytelling circle Plate 1.1 Traditional storytelling as a communal performance Fill in the blank: Community theatre in Africa originated from __________ traditions that combined storytelling, music, and dance.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.1.2 Colonial influences and shifts in theatre practice During the colonial period, colonial theatre refers to performances introduced by European settlers, often staged in formal venues and based on Western dramatic traditions. This shifted theatre away from communal participation towards scripted performances, with clear distinctions between actors and audiences. Colonial theatre often excluded indigenous voices, focusing instead on European narratives. However, African communities adapted these influences, blending them with traditional practices to create new forms of expression. Fill in the blank: Colonial theatre introduced __________ traditions that emphasised scripted performances and separated actors from audiences. 1.1.3 Post-independence growth of community theatre After independence, many African nations embraced community theatre as a tool for cultural revival and social development. Community theatre became a means of addressing issues such as health, education, and political awareness. It was participatory, encouraging communities to take ownership of performances and use them to solve local problems. This period marked the rise of theatre for development, which is the use of theatre as a method to promote social change and community empowerment. Fill in the blank: After independence, community theatre was increasingly used as a tool for __________ and social development. Pilot questions 1.1 1. Which cultural practice formed the foundation of community theatre in Africa? 2. What was the main difference between colonial theatre and traditional African performance? 3. How did African communities adapt colonial theatre influences?

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 4. What role did community theatre play after independence? 5. Define theatre for development in one sentence. 1.2 Theoretical Perspectives On Community Theatre 1.2.1 Participatory theatre theory Participatory theatre refers to a form of theatre where community members are actively involved in creating and performing plays. Unlike conventional theatre, which separates actors from audiences, participatory theatre blurs these boundaries, encouraging dialogue and collective problem-solving. This theory emphasises inclusivity, ensuring that performances reflect the voices and experiences of the community. It is often used to address local issues such as health, education, or conflict resolution. Fill in the blank: Participatory theatre blurs the boundaries between __________ and audiences. 1.2.2 Theatre for development frameworks Theatre for development (TfD) is a theoretical framework that uses theatre as a tool to promote social change. It involves communities in identifying problems, creating scenarios, and performing plays that suggest solutions. TfD is widely applied in African contexts to raise awareness about issues such as HIV/AIDS, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. The framework is built on the idea that theatre can be both educational and transformative, empowering communities to take collective action. Fill in the blank: Theatre for development is used to promote __________ change within communities. 1.2.3 Critical and cultural theories in African contexts

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Community theatre is also informed by critical theory, which examines power structures and inequalities, and cultural theory, which explores how cultural practices shape identity and meaning. In African contexts, these theories highlight how theatre can challenge oppression, celebrate heritage, and foster unity. By applying these perspectives, community theatre becomes not only a form of entertainment but also a platform for resistance and empowerment. Fill in the blank: Critical theory in community theatre examines __________ structures and inequalities. Diagram showing theoretical perspectives of community theatre (participatory, TfD, critical/cultural) Figure 1.2 Theoretical perspectives shaping community theatre practice

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Pilot questions 1.2 1. What is the main feature of participatory theatre? 2. Define theatre for development in one sentence. 3. List two issues commonly addressed through theatre for development in Africa. 4. What does critical theory examine in the context of community theatre? 5. How does cultural theory contribute to community theatre practice? 1.3 Community Theatre As A Tool For Development 1.3.1 Social mobilisation and awareness creation Social mobilisation refers to the process of bringing people together to take collective action on issues that affect their lives. Community theatre plays a vital role in this by dramatising local concerns such as health, sanitation, or governance, and encouraging dialogue among community members. Performances often use humour, storytelling, and relatable scenarios to raise awareness, making complex issues easier to understand. Fill in the blank: Community theatre supports social mobilisation by encouraging __________ action on local issues. 1.3.2 Education and behavioural change Community theatre is widely used as an educational tool. It provides information in an engaging way, helping communities learn about topics such as disease prevention, environmental protection, or gender equality.

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