Continuous Assessment

Post-performance presentation

Self and Peer Assessment

Workshop Process/Performance

Phase 1 (2-3 weeks) The introductory phase of module will be characterised by an exploration of traditional and contemporary perspectives on democracy followed by an in depth consideration of the notion of the Citizen Artist and the use of theatre in an advocacy/democratic context. Research tasks specific to a host organisation (usually a Local Authority) will be undertaken culminating in a series of formative presentations and a short political knowledge test. 
In parallel students will undertake a short taught course in the use of rhetoric and persuasive oratory to serve as a foundation the performance and presentations at the end of the project. 

Phase 2 (10 weeks) The host organisation will facilitate introduction to Community groups that wish to take part in the project. Students will split into small teams and work with each group on a weekly basis to create a piece of participatory Theatre for Democracy that will represent the participant’s concerns to an audience of local politicians and other decision makers. Weekly taught sessions will continue introducing and exploring practical skills to support each sub-phase of the project (Group building/ Identifications of Issues/Devising/Rehearsing). Each team will also be allocated a supervising tutor and host organisation contact. Towards the end of the phase each team will submit a short Project Brief outlining the issues their group will be exploring, the techniques used and the likely technical and budgetary requirements for their performance. 

Phase 3 (1 week) Each group will present their work at a People’s Parliament event that will take place within the host organisation. After input from the project team the host organisation contacts will lead on inviting councillors and decision makers to attend. All other aspects of the performance will be managed by the project team. 

Phase 4 After the performance each team will collate and develop an evaluation before giving a formal presentation to a Local Area Partnership (or similar) about the project. Following this each project team will take part in a staff facilitated Self and Peer Assessment and Accreditation process. In this session marks will be negotiated to recognise each individual team member’s contribution to the group process.

Theatre for Democracy and Advocacy - 6500ATCD

Theatre for Democracy and Advocacy

Employ a critical understanding of, and advanced skills in, persuasive public speaking.

Synthesise a range of drama based participatory strategies to enable a group to identify, reflect upon and articulate issues of concern;

Work efficiently and effectively, as a member of a facilitation team with an ability to organise time and negotiate and pursue goals with others.

Construct and deliver a formal presentation of the key findings of a project to a panel of decision makers;

Develop a performance which utilises appropriate theatrical and participatory conventions to present a group’s views to an audience of decision makers;

Efficiently co-ordinate all external factors, including invitations, marketing, catering and utilisation of performance space, in order to maximise the efficacy of the event;

Formulate appropriate techniques and strategies to improve/develop a participant group’s confidence and ability to engage in the presentation event as a performer and/or contributor to political discourse;

Use appropriate research techniques to develop an understanding of the historical, economic and political context of a specific participant group;