Augusto Boal’s Simultaneous Dramaturgy theory and techniques to highlight themes of human trafficking: a performance-based research study
| dc.contributor.advisor | Cloete, D. C. | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Van Niekerk, D. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Kamper, Marijda | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2022-02-03T09:25:02Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2022-02-03T09:25:02Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2021-01 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Human trafficking is seen as an international crime that exploits vulnerable individuals worldwide through multiple coerced activities. Deemed as one of the world's leading criminal activities trafficking in persons is a profit-driven business that illegally trades human beings. South Africa is especially susceptible to human trafficking as it is ranked as a country of origin, transit, and destination. Against this background, more extensive efforts are needed to make people aware of the dangers of trafficking in persons. Awareness-raising campaigns are regarded as crucial in the fight against this crime. They should be designed in such a way as to educate individuals about the true nature of these crimes and the consequences associated with them. Theatre practices are considered a useful tool to address a social problem by engaging with critical social issues productively and creatively. Traditional theatre productions could explain an idea, but through participatory theatre practices, audience members can become actively involved in exploring ways to empower social change and transformation in society. Noteworthy participatory theatre practitioner, Augusto Boal, is a contemporary theatre practitioner whose theatre techniques can aid in active learning to enable social and personal change. Simultaneous Dramaturgy is a participatory theatre technique and forms part of Boal's hybrid system known as Theatre of the Oppressed. Simultaneous Dramaturgy was developed by Boal and aims to encourage audience members to become active agents of change. By actively participating in finding solutions to a problem being presented, Simultaneous Dramaturgy promotes pursuing change, among audience members, without it being necessary for them to be on stage physically. This study investigates how a dramatic, theatre-based activity that incorporates Boal's theatre technique of Simultaneous Dramaturgy can raise awareness against human beings' exploitation. The study also examines the researchers' practice and how it contributes to social justice and human rights issues through performance-based projects. The research study appropriated two methodologies: a literature study (within the qualitative research paradigm) and a performance-based research study (within the performative research paradigm). In the literature-based chapters, a detailed analysis of human trafficking, factors that facilitate human trafficking, and the current state of prevention against human trafficking in South Africa is provided. Also included is a short biography of Augusto Boal, a review of his practice and participatory theatre as a tool for awareness-raising. By utilising Richard Blythe's six-step framework for practice-based research, the researcher reviewed her practice and community of practice as entities that can contribute to social change through productions and examine the process of creating a new socially conscience themed artefact. Through this performance-based research study, the researcher was able to produce an original theatre production informed by the research conducted in the literary chapters that can be used to raise awareness about the critical issue of human trafficking. The creative artefact, embedded in this study, explicitly focussed on portraying socially constructed conditions that create vulnerability to exploitation, especially in South Africa. Furthermore, by employing the participatory theatre technique of Simultaneous Dramaturgy within the creative artefact, the researcher encouraged audience members to critically think about possible solutions to prevent falling victim to human trafficking. Through this study, one can conclude that creating awareness towards trafficking in persons is an effective way to make a difference in the struggle against human trafficking. Furthermore, the research also determined theatre's value as a tool for research, social change, and awareness-raising activities. On this basis, the researcher concludes that utilising theatre techniques, such as participatory theatre, social issues like human trafficking can be effectively addressed by institutions such as university performing arts departments to create, inspire and promote social consciences. | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11660/11387 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_ZA |
| dc.publisher | University of the Free State | en_ZA |
| dc.rights.holder | University of the Free State | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Dissertation (M.A. (Drama and Theatre Arts))--University of the Free State, 2021 | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Human Trafficking | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Awareness-raising campaigns | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Participatory theatre | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Augusto Boal | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Simultaneous Dramaturgy | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Theatre of the Oppressed | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Performance-based research | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Practice-based research | en_ZA |
| dc.title | Augusto Boal’s Simultaneous Dramaturgy theory and techniques to highlight themes of human trafficking: a performance-based research study | en_ZA |
| dc.type | Dissertation | en_ZA |