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Description
It is intended to use the Playback Theater (PT) to, through PT performances aimed at young people (up to 30 years old), raise awareness and value human diversity, promote tolerance and acceptance of what is different and prevent the violation of human rights. This is a type of improvisational theatre, used in various contexts, and consists of a co-creation between the actors/actresses and the audience. It takes place in community contexts with small audiences (up to 100 people), and its objective is social transformation. Personal stories narrated in the first person are requested from audience members, which are then artistically represented on stage using body language, props, music and light.
Summary of project results
The project was initiated to address discrimination in schools within the Lisbon metropolitan area, including issues related to racial/ethnic origin, religion, gender expression, and sexual orientation, often manifesting as bullying. The primary goal was to utilize Playback Theatre (PT) to raise awareness and celebrate human diversity, fostering tolerance and acceptance of differences. PT performances were specifically directed at young people in schools where discrimination and human rights violations are prevalent.
The project''s activities were organized into four components:
Component 1: Training of Psychologists and Youth Leaders in Playback Theatre (PT)
- Certification activities for project psychologists and NGO youth leaders in PT were conducted.
- Training and certification were provided through 13 modules for each of 3 PT companies, four intensive training modules, and one training module by the Norwegian partners from Skandinavisk Playbackteater Studio.
Component 2: Incubation of PT Companies within NGOs
- Recruitment of NGO youth for the companies was necessary.
- Three project presentation sessions were held (one per NGO) to introduce the project and provide information about rehearsals (schedules, locations, PT and psychology trainers).
- Weekly rehearsals were staged by the trainers (job-shadowing), with each psychology trainer responsible for incubating a PT company, leading rehearsals, and preparing the company for school campaigns.
- Co-staging of weekly rehearsals by trainers and youth leaders (reverse-job-shadowing) followed an initial learning phase through observation.
- Weekly rehearsals were eventually led by youth leaders with consultative support from trainers, continuing more consistently after all campaigns were secured.
Component 3: Human Rights Awareness Campaigns through PT
- In February and April 2023, the new PT companies performed publicly for the community, organized by the NGOs with project team support.
- A total of nine Human Rights Awareness Campaigns were conducted, three per company in selected schools, with one campaign per company conducted autonomously.
Component 4: Management, Sustainability, and Dissemination
- NGOs and schools were selected, and incubation and campaign plans were co-constructed with them.
- A rigorous selection process identified NGOs (Clube Safo, ILGA, Ultimacto) and schools (Agrupamento de Escolas Poeta Joaquim Serra - Montijo; Agrupamento de Escolas da Parede - Cascais; Escola Básica Maria do Carmo Serrote - Sesimbra) that met project prerequisites and had the capacity to implement the project.
- Opening events featured a PT performance and project presentation to the community, while closing events included a PT performance by the leaders of the three PT companies and a presentation of project results through a video/documentary with participant testimonials.
- In November 2023, youth leaders attended the Iberian PT Meeting in Barcelona, where they met members of other Playback Theatre companies and participated in various workshops.
In quantitative terms, the following was achieved:
- 3 professional staff trained;
- 32 youths mobilised by NGOs to engage in human rights work;
- 9 awareness raising campaigns carried out;
- 39% share of target group showing concern for human rights.
In terms of capacity building, the promoter carried out a needs assessment and prepared an action plan. This led to the development of an institutional communication plan.
Summary of bilateral results
The project benefited from the involvement of Norwegian partners, Synne and Jan Platander, trainers from Skandinavisk Playbackteater Studio. They shared their experience and knowledge of Playback Theatre through a one-day training session specifically for the technical team and Young Leaders, as well as a lecture open to the community. It is expected that this partnership will continue to maintain contact and exchange experiences in Playback Theatre and intervention projects.