The interACT model: Considering rape prevention from a performance activism and social justice perspective

Abstract

Although a number of rape prevention programs exist, the interACT Troupe is distinguished by their commitment to social justice pedagogy and proactive performance. Influenced by critical pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed, interACT uses embodied techniques aligned with feminist pedagogies to raise awareness, promote empathic responses, challenge (hyper)masculinity and encourage bystander interventions.The interACT performance troupe produces participatory shows on sociopolitical issues of concern to college students. I created it in 2000, shortly after accepting an academic position at an urban university near Los Angeles. I solicited students by mentioning the troupe in my courses, and posting audition notices around campus. The first year we had approximately 12 students from a variety of academic disciplines, and we met on campus each Sunday night to talk about issues that were meaningful to the students and begin the process of creating scenes. The issue that was most pressing for the majority of students was sexual assault, and our first year was spent developing the scenes that would eventually comprise our prevention program. Although interACT also produces shows on racism and homophobia,

Negotiating Dialectics in a Communication Activism Collaboration

“…Although descended from applied communication, cultural-critical, and rhetorical studies, communication activism scholarship differs from other forms of communication, social activism, and critical scholarship in an important way: Unlike some of these other scholarly genres, communication activism scholarship always represents "first person perspective communication research directed toward solving significant social issues" (Frey & Carragee, 2007, p. 6). It is immersive (Ceglowski, 2000;Crabtree & Ford, 2007;Duneier, 1999;Frey & Adelman, 1997), and performative (Bennett & West, 2009;Moreman & McIntosh, 2010;Rich, 2010). It results in some progress toward a social justice goal (Campo & Fraser, 2007;Chinchilla, Hamilton & Loucky, 2009;Orbe, 2007).…”

Proactive Performance: A Context for Intergroup Contact

“…In addition to attracting ethnic minority students, both the university and the city of Long Beach have a significant and active lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender population. Attempting to capitalize on the diversity of CSULB and his own personal commitment to ''social justice pedagogy and performance activism'' (Rich, 2010), Dr. Marc Rich created the interACT Performance Troupe in 2000.…”

“…In this way, performance eradicates the traditional barrier between actors and audiences, and thus becomes a systematic tool for intellectually engaging the audience on critical social issues to promote social change. Informed by Freire (1997), Rich (2010) wrote that ''by creating a dynamic learning environment with active students and critical engagement, the classroom becomes a site for interrogating social issues and considering oppressive practices'' (p. 3). With this in mind, influenced by the work of Freire and Boal, interACT is a performance troupe comprised of CSULB students that presents scripted and non-scripted shows that attempt to initiate critical reflection in audiences about culturally sensitive topics.…”

“…With this in mind, influenced by the work of Freire and Boal, interACT is a performance troupe comprised of CSULB students that presents scripted and non-scripted shows that attempt to initiate critical reflection in audiences about culturally sensitive topics. Committed to social justice pedagogy and activism (Rich, 2010), the ultimate goal of the troupe is that audiences will thoughtfully consider the issues addressed by the troupe and, in turn, become instigators of social change.…”

“…I am still angry for that exclusion. (p. 8) Similarly, the sexual assault show specifically targets men and is designed to appeal to men because they are the main perpetrators of violence against women (Campbell, Neil, Jaffe, & Kelly, 2010;Rich, 2010). Also, whereas the homophobia show addresses the complexities of attitudes about the issue, the show is designed to be empathetic to the minority group.…”