Theatre-in-Education

I define theatre-in-education as a play that:  1)  attempts to educate audience members on a subject first and foremost, 2) targets a specific community, and 3) involves interactive elements to engage audience members during the play.

Sample Project 1:  Choosing Sides

In 2009, I began developing Choosing Sides--an interactive play for middle school students that explores what bullying is, why we bully, and solutions to bullying.  In the play, Ashley befriends the new guy, Chris.  When  Derek, a leader in "The Clique," invites Ashley to a party, she is all too convinced this is the way to end the bullying she and Chris experience.  After all, once you're "in," the bullying ends.  At the party, however, Ashley discovers even those "in" the Clique experience bullying, and Derek had an ulterior motive for inviting her to the party.  Ashley must choose her side.  Will she choose to bully or befriend? Audience members engage in 

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Sample Project 2:  Communication Breakdown

In Spring 2006, I co-developed and directed Communication Breakdown, a theatre-in-education play for middle school students.  Communication Breakdown focused on the story of Cynthia, a middle school student experiencing problems in her relationship with her mother.  Through the play, students learned Marshall Rosenberg's Theory for Non-Violent Communication and assisted Cynthia in using the model in a discussion with her mother.  

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