Participatory dramaturgy in theatre for development

Abstract

This study is an inquiry in dramaturgy when analysed in a creative environment where participation and collaboration form the essence of the theatre. The paper focuses on the devising process in Theatre for Development (TfD). Most inquiries in TfD are often resultoriented, such that they tend to focus on “development”, thereby sidelining the importance of “theatre” which gives the practice its power and appeal. The paper argues that the devising process in TfD is an important stage which allows for participatory dramaturgy that is key to transformation. By looking at participatory dramaturgy in the TfD devising process, I seek to re-establish the theatre form as central to the process of transformation in TfD.