Social and Community Theatre. Dramaturgy and Staging with Groups [ITA]
A. Rossi Ghiglione, Dino Audino editore, 2013
Theater with and for communities is a widespread phenomenon in Italy and Europe. In the last ten years, social and community theater, in particular, has worked successfully not only in its traditional areas such as schools, prisons, mental health centers, day centers, but also in hospitals, suburbs, and emergency locations for international cooperation. It has encountered people who are suffering and “normal” people. It has told their stories. It has created health, solidarity, beauty, and culture.
In this type of theater, the moment of encounter between the theatrical journey of the group and the community of spectators is perhaps the most delicate moment. What form should this encounter take? Put on a show? Create a traveling performance? Conceive a celebration? Set up an interactive exhibition? How can the richness of human and expressive experience that has been created during the workshop be brought to the stage without betraying it? How to communicate and reach the viewer effectively? Where do you start? Can a literary text be used? What are the professional rules for shaping the theatrical text when working with non-professional actors? Words, actions, signs: how do you write a good theatrical performance with and for the community? Who takes care of it? When and how?
Community dramaturgy deals with that fundamental encounter between people that is the theatrical event, and prepares it throughout the journey: from planning to the workshop, up to the creation of the show.
The book stems from the author’s professional and artistic experience in the field of dramaturgy and social and community theater and aims to offer a tool for reflection and work to those involved in writing in social and community theater and to all those – actors, conductors, organizers, educators, teachers, etc. – who are involved in theater in social contexts in various capacities.
