Acts of Stammering and Aesthetic Nervousness: Reflections on intervention in applied theatre practice
Author(s)
Lazaroo, Natalie
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2017
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Interventionist agendas in applied theatre constantly require scrutiny into the problematic claims of transformation and empowerment. There is a need to examine the power structures that underline any kind of work done with disempowered communities, where applied theatre practitioners are often in positions of 'privilege' and 'authority'. In this paper, I draw together the discussions surrounding these issues, paying attention to the call for a more ethical practice when dealing with representations made in the process of applied theatre work. Importantly, I recognise that these demands can leave facilitators feeling vulnerable, ...
View more >Interventionist agendas in applied theatre constantly require scrutiny into the problematic claims of transformation and empowerment. There is a need to examine the power structures that underline any kind of work done with disempowered communities, where applied theatre practitioners are often in positions of 'privilege' and 'authority'. In this paper, I draw together the discussions surrounding these issues, paying attention to the call for a more ethical practice when dealing with representations made in the process of applied theatre work. Importantly, I recognise that these demands can leave facilitators feeling vulnerable, especially when things do not go well. Instead of ignoring them, I propose that 'acts of stammering' - moments of uncertainty - serve as points of reflection for the facilitator. Drawing on an example of a project with disabled people, the notion of 'aesthetic nervousness' is then used as a lens to better understand the act of stammering encountered by the facilitator.
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View more >Interventionist agendas in applied theatre constantly require scrutiny into the problematic claims of transformation and empowerment. There is a need to examine the power structures that underline any kind of work done with disempowered communities, where applied theatre practitioners are often in positions of 'privilege' and 'authority'. In this paper, I draw together the discussions surrounding these issues, paying attention to the call for a more ethical practice when dealing with representations made in the process of applied theatre work. Importantly, I recognise that these demands can leave facilitators feeling vulnerable, especially when things do not go well. Instead of ignoring them, I propose that 'acts of stammering' - moments of uncertainty - serve as points of reflection for the facilitator. Drawing on an example of a project with disabled people, the notion of 'aesthetic nervousness' is then used as a lens to better understand the act of stammering encountered by the facilitator.
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Journal Title
Social Alternatives
Volume
36
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
Self-archiving of the author-manuscript version is not yet supported by this journal. Please refer to the journal link for access to the definitive, published version or contact the author[s] for more information.
Subject
Political science
Other education not elsewhere classified
Sociology
Drama, theatre and performance studies