Thesis: the stories keep talking to us, so how do we listen?
an ethnographic study of transformative encounters in a community theatre play
Project details
- Year
- 2023
- Programme
- bachelor-photography-rasl-dual-degree
- Practices
- Honours Programme
- Minor
- RASL Minor
For my graduation work, I did research into the notion of female voices & storytelling, which takes a different shape in my poetic filminstallation.
Abstract of the thesis
Community theatre creates a space for stories which come directly from lived experiences that otherwise do not find their way on stage as easily. This thesis acts as an in-depth examination of the practices of listening as vital to the practice of the community art theatre of the organisation Women Connected. Working with female voices, some coming from marginalised communities, Women Connected makes performances, conducts rehearsals, and connects women with each other through theatre. The community theatre project provides a vehicle for discussing the recognition of voices within democracy, through three encounters: narrative exchange, rehearsal space and the audience. Through 2 months of ethnographic research, following the process of both rehearsal and performance, this paper seeks to show how listening plays an important role in the way voices are valued within democracy.
The first time I came together with other people using my voice, our bodies moving with intention, it made a profound impact on me. If I had learned so much and felt so much strength and power in performing my poetry on stage, what could a community theatre practice do for others?
I started to join some of the rehearsals of Women Connected open to the public and after a while, decided to research this notion of transformative potential in the space community theatre, by conducting my first ever ethnography with Women Connected. What you see here before you, is the outcome of this venture. This research resulted in an ethnography unpacking the space that facilitates their work.
It is here that I find that any possible transformation within the community theatre practice of Women Connected, lies within the different acts of listening.
