Strengthening the Contributions of Theatre

to the Coexistence Field


In this program area CI provides opportunities for practitioners and scholars in the peacebuilding and theatre fields to learn from each other and reflect on and document their practice by:
  • Organizing international gatherings which explore the theory and practice of theatre and peacebuilding;
  • Editing an anthology on the contributions of theatre to peacebuilding in various regions and contexts.

This program is a collaboration between two entities:  1) Coexistence International at Brandeis University (CI), and 2) Theatre Without Borders (TWB). It builds on on-going work that has been taking place at Brandeis University within the Slifka Program in Intercommunal Coexistence, in an inquiry into creative approaches to coexistence and reconciliation.


Some of our recent efforts in this area include:

“Strengthening the Contributions of Theatre to the Coexistence Field”, is a collaboration between two entities: 1) Coexistence International at Brandeis University (CI), and 2) Theatre Without Borders (TWB).  It builds on on-going work that has been taking place at Brandeis University within the Slifka Program in Intercommunal Coexistence, in an inquiry into creative approaches to coexistence and reconciliation.

 
Background
 In conflict regions throughout the world, theatre artists work with communities in ways that contribute to coexistence, reconciliation and peace. Their work creates platforms on which inter-group relationships can be built, difficult issues can be engaged, losses can be mourned and new futures can be imagined. Theatre artists serve as listeners and witnesses, as mediators, as educators, as disseminators.  


Within the large field of theatre, including both theory and practice, both scripted and non-scripted forms, ranging from community-based projects to world-class productions, and including work directly or indirectly aimed at creating collaborations amongst conflict participants, there exist enormous resources for efforts at strengthening relationships across difference, rebuilding trust in the aftermath of violence, and nourishing a culture of peace. 


Conversely, within the field of coexistence theory and practice there are resources that can support theatre artists working in conflict regions. There is knowledge about how to facilitate the dialogues that are taking place while developing projects, during rehearsals and following productions. Organizations exist that have on-going relationships in communities that could extend the impact of theatrical works more broadly throughout society. There are conceptual frameworks – for instance, about the cyclical nature of conflicts, the importance of ritual to peace building efforts, the educational dimensions of reconciliation, the dynamics of power in asymmetrical conflicts – that are proving useful to theatre artists as they work to describe, assess, extend and strengthen their work and as they find themselves in situations where artistic interaction alone is insufficient.


This collaboration is designed to provide opportunities for practitioners and scholars in the peace building and theatre fields to learn from each other and to reflect on and document their practice. We intend to create an anthology that will be of use to both practitioners and to students. Our intention is to strengthen this work and also to add to its visibility and credibility.


Anthology Project
Performance and Peacebuilding in Global Perspective.
For more information, click here.


Partners
Theatre Without Borders is an informal group of individual theatre artists around the world, who are working to support international theatre exchange. It functions primarily as a volunteer, virtual community that shares information and builds connections between individuals and institutions that share this interest. TWB understands itself as ‘a container for creating connections and sharing knowledge, information and skills.’ It maintains an active website, disseminates information alerts, and works on issues of translation. TWB also hosts both virtual and in-person dialogues on theatre, cultural activism and building peace. Artists involved with TWB are working in the United States, Afghanistan, India, Ghana, Romania, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Bosnia, East Africa, China, Serbia and Montenegro, Mexico, Cambodia, Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Turkey, Belarus, Russia and Iran, among many other countries.


Creative Approaches to Coexistence and Reconciliation is a multi-faceted inquiry based in the Slifka Program in Intercommunal Coexistence at Brandeis University. Through action/reflection projects, fellowship programs, courses, residencies and events, this inquiry is generating theoretical and practical knowledge about the contributions of cultural work and the arts to peacebuilding efforts.  It is directed by Dr. Cynthia Cohen.


This area of CI's work is convened by Cynthia Cohen (Brandeis University), and Roberta Levitow & Ruth Margraff (Theatre Without Borders). For further information please see the Concept Paper.