Seen and not heard: participation as tyranny in Theatre for Early Years

Fletcher-Watson, Ben

doi:10.1080/13569783.2014.953470

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…An infant’s ability to respond to live performance is different from that of an adult, and furthermore, is constantly in flux, even within this narrow 18-month age-range. Traditional performer/spectator hierarchies and hegemonies are challenged when a production is aimed at the most vulnerable audience of all (Fletcher-Watson, 2015a), and a duty of care may become imbricated within the performance experience. Artists cannot expect the baby spectator to observe quietly from a distance, to understand theatrical conventions such as blackouts or applause, or even to sit upright in a seat.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The infant audience: The impact and implications of child development research on performing arts practice for the very young

Drury

Fletcher-Watson

2016

Journal of Early Childhood Research

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The advances of scientific techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging have led to an enormous increase in understanding of the physical, neurological and cognitive developments in infancy. Alongside this, radical new forms of theatre, dance and music have emerged, aimed at this same age group. Many artists now work alongside child psychologists, educators and other infant specialists to design performing arts productions suited to the needs and abilities of the infant audience. This article provides a summary of the development of the five main senses in early infancy in relation to theatre-based productions for babies aged 0-18 months. An exploration into this cross-disciplinary research practice not only demonstrates how performing arts have adapted for the baby audience, but also how they can provide a platform for further research into child development.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The infant audience: The impact and implications of child development research on performing arts practice for the very young

Drury

Fletcher-Watson

2016

Journal of Early Childhood Research

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…This shyness is not uncommon in performance arts‐based approaches (Fletcher‐Watson, 2015; Heras et al, 2016; Lee, 2015). Paradoxically, Fletcher‐Watson (2015) argues that participants might also feel empowered by their choice not to participate. This reflects the nature of the participation process in Forum Theatre and the need for trained jokers to facilitate audience members ‘coming into’ the activity (Campbell, 2019).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

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Forum Theatre as a mechanism to explore representation of local people's values in environmental governance: A case of study from Chiapas, Mexico

et al. 2022

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Nature degradation, poverty and social discrimination are some of the consequences of unfair decision‐making over environmental resources within rural communities in the Global South. Barriers to achieving fair environmental decisions are entrenched power differences and the lack of representation of the diversity of local values in environmental decision‐making. Using intersectionality and value pluralism as a conceptual base, this is the first paper to examine the potential of Forum Theatre, a performance arts‐based method, to discuss ‘solutions’ regarding power differences and values towards nature in environmental decision‐making. We implemented Forum Theatre in two rural villages in Chiapas, Mexico, framed around conflicts and power differences in eco‐tourism development. Participants felt empathy with the Forum Theatre characters and dissatisfaction over the conflicts, and this motivated them to engage and participate in collective reflections on their own personal experiences with power differences in environmental decision‐making. From these reflections, participants performed diverse ‘solutions’ to the conflicts, bringing to the fore plural interconnected and dynamic values towards nature in these narratives. Despite this, Forum Theatre does not look to ‘solve’ conflicts; it is a safe space to explore how power differences and values towards nature play out in environmental decision‐making. Results offer a promising picture of the potential of Forum Theatre as an opening where participants could discuss power differences and values towards nature. However, establishing its potential as a tool in environmental decision‐making would require engaging those involved in implementing environmental decisions that affect the communities but who operate from other levels of the governance structure, such as policy‐makers and large NGOs. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

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Creating a Sonic Experience for Babies

Tse¹

2021

Visions of Sustainability for Arts Education

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Seen and not heard: participation as tyranny in Theatre for Early Years

Cited by 11 publications

References 15 publications

The infant audience: The impact and implications of child development research on performing arts practice for the very young

The infant audience: The impact and implications of child development research on performing arts practice for the very young

Forum Theatre as a mechanism to explore representation of local people's values in environmental governance: A case of study from Chiapas, Mexico

Creating a Sonic Experience for Babies

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