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Nigeria's free digital learning hub. Videos, lecture notes, practice questions and leaderboards aligned with CCMAS, NBTE, NCCE, WAEC, NECO, IJMB and JAMB curricula.
This is the complete lecture note for THA404 Community Theatre for Development Practice. You can read it online below, open it in the full viewer, or download the PDF for offline study. It pairs with the course's video lectures, so you can read and watch together.
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 404 Course title: Community Theatre for Development Practice Course credit load: 2 Units List of Series: • Series 1: Community Selection and Value Creation through Theatre • Series 2: Village Research and Participatory Play Development • Series 3: Collaborative Play Production with Host Communities • Series 4: Development Strategies and Legacy Building in Theatre Practice • Series 5: Documentation and Community Feedback in Theatre for Development Series 1: Community Selection and Value Creation through Theatre Series Outline • Part 1 (1.1): Understanding Community Theatre for Development o Sub-Part 1.1.1: Defining community theatre and its role in development o Sub-Part 1.1.2: Historical background and relevance in contemporary society o Sub-Part 1.1.3: Benefits of theatre as a tool for conscientisation • Part 2 (1.2): Identifying and Selecting a Community o Sub-Part 1.2.1: Criteria for community selection o Sub-Part 1.2.2: Methods of engaging stakeholders in the selection process o Sub-Part 1.2.3: Challenges in community identification and how to address them • Part 3 (1.3): Engaging the Community in Value Creation o Sub-Part 1.3.1: Participatory approaches to theatre creation o Sub-Part 1.3.2: Encouraging ownership and self-reliance through theatre
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS o Sub-Part 1.3.3: Building trust and collaboration with community members • Part 4 (1.4): Building Group Dynamics and Control o Sub-Part 1.4.1: Understanding group dynamics in theatre practice o Sub-Part 1.4.2: Techniques for effective group control and coordination o Sub-Part 1.4.3: Sustaining motivation and collective responsibility Introduction Community theatre offers a unique way of engaging people in dialogue about their own development. It is not simply about entertainment, but about using performance as a participatory tool to raise awareness, inspire change, and strengthen community bonds. This Series introduces you to the foundational steps of working with communities through theatre, focusing on how to select a community and create value that resonates with its members. The aim of this Series is to help you acquire the skills needed to identify suitable communities, initiate participatory theatre processes, and foster group dynamics that support development goals. We shall commence this Series by examining the concept and significance of community theatre for development. Next, we will explore the process of identifying and selecting a community for theatre intervention. Following that, we will consider how communities can be engaged in value creation through participatory theatre practices. Finally, we will conclude by discussing strategies for building group dynamics and control, which are essential for sustaining theatre-based development initiatives. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 define the concept of community theatre for development, • SLO 1.2 explain the criteria and processes for identifying and selecting a community,
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS • SLO 1.3 demonstrate how to engage community members in participatory value creation through theatre, and • SLO 1.4 analyse strategies for building group dynamics and maintaining control in community theatre practice. 1.1 Understanding Community Theatre for Development 1.1.1 Defining community theatre and its role in development Community theatre is a participatory form of theatre created by and for members of a community, with the aim of addressing social, cultural, or developmental issues. Unlike commercial theatre, which focuses on entertainment and profit, community theatre is designed to raise awareness, stimulate dialogue, and inspire collective action. It provides a safe space for people to reflect on their realities, express their concerns, and explore possible solutions together. Fill in the blank: Community theatre is primarily aimed at __________ rather than entertainment. 1.1.2 Historical background and relevance in contemporary society Community theatre has roots in traditional storytelling and performance practices that communities have used for centuries to pass on knowledge, values, and cultural identity. In modern times, it has evolved into a structured approach for development, often linked to movements for social justice, education, and empowerment. Its relevance today lies in its ability to give voice to marginalised groups, foster inclusivity, and promote sustainable development through collective participation. Fill in the blank: Traditional storytelling and performance practices served as early forms of __________.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.1.3 Benefits of theatre as a tool for conscientisation Conscientisation refers to the process of developing critical awareness of one’s social reality through reflection and action. Theatre is particularly effective for this because it combines dialogue, creativity, and emotional engagement. By dramatising everyday challenges, communities can see their issues represented on stage, which often leads to deeper reflection and a willingness to act. The benefits include increased self-reliance, stronger community bonds, and the ability to generate local solutions to local problems. Fill in the blank: The process of developing critical awareness through reflection and action is called __________. Diagram showing the role of community theatre in development, with arrows linking theatre activities to outcomes such as awareness, dialogue, and collective action. Figure 1.1: Role of community theatre in development Pilot questions 1.1
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1. Community theatre is primarily aimed at raising __________ rather than entertainment. 2. Traditional storytelling and performance practices served as early forms of __________. 3. The process of developing critical awareness through reflection and action is called __________. 4. One key benefit of community theatre is that it strengthens __________ bonds. 5. Unlike commercial theatre, community theatre focuses on __________ rather than profit. 1.2 Identifying and Selecting a Community 1.2.1 Criteria for community selection When working with community theatre, it is important to establish clear criteria for selecting the right community. Criteria may include the community’s readiness to participate, the presence of pressing developmental issues, and the availability of local leadership to support the process. A suitable community is one that is open to dialogue, willing to collaborate, and capable of sustaining theatre activities beyond the initial intervention. Fill in the blank: A suitable community for theatre intervention must show __________ to participate. 1.2.2 Methods of engaging stakeholders in the selection process Stakeholders are individuals or groups who have an interest in or influence over the theatre project. They may include local leaders, youth groups, women’s associations, and cultural organisations. Engaging stakeholders early ensures that the community feels ownership of the project. Methods of engagement include community meetings, focus group discussions, and informal conversations that allow members to express their needs and expectations. Fill in the blank: Local leaders, youth groups, and cultural organisations are examples of __________.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.2.3 Challenges in community identification and how to address them Selecting a community is not always straightforward. Challenges may include resistance from community members, lack of trust in outsiders, or competing interests among local groups. These can be addressed by building relationships gradually, demonstrating respect for local customs, and ensuring transparency in the selection process. Patience and persistence are key qualities for facilitators in overcoming these obstacles. Fill in the blank: One way to overcome resistance in community identification is to build __________ gradually. Diagram showing the process of community selection, from identifying criteria to engaging stakeholders and addressing challenges. Figure 1.2: Process of community selection for theatre intervention Pilot questions 1.2 1. A suitable community for theatre intervention must show __________ to participate.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 2. Local leaders, youth groups, and cultural organisations are examples of __________. 3. One way to overcome resistance in community identification is to build __________ gradually. 4. Name one criterion that should be considered when selecting a community. 5. Why is stakeholder engagement important in community selection? 1.3 Engaging the Community in Value Creation 1.3.1 Participatory approaches to theatre creation Participatory approaches involve community members actively contributing to the design and performance of theatre activities. This ensures that the play reflects their realities and aspirations. Techniques include storytelling circles, improvisation workshops, and collaborative scriptwriting. These approaches encourage inclusivity and empower participants to take ownership of the process. Fill in the blank: Storytelling circles and collaborative scriptwriting are examples of __________ approaches. 1.3.2 Encouraging ownership and self-reliance through theatre Ownership means that community members feel the theatre project belongs to them. This is achieved by involving them in decision-making, assigning roles, and recognising their contributions. Self-reliance is strengthened when communities use theatre to address their own challenges without depending entirely on external support. Facilitators should encourage communities to see theatre as a tool they can sustain independently. Fill in the blank: Ownership is achieved when community members feel the project __________ to them.
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