THEATRE MARAE: Māori theatre pedagogy in research

Abstract

Theatre Marae is a contemporary theatre practice unique to Aotearoa New Zealand, and this article outlines its application as an Indigenous-informed creative framework for qualitative research. As a research methodology, Theatre Marae is based in a conceptual partnership between traditional and contemporary Māori performing arts, applied theatre and the therapeutic encounter. As a form of theatre pedagogy, Theatre Marae has been applied as a decolonising strategy in ensemble work, and to craft evocative theatre that honours Māori expressions of colonisation, trauma and social justice. Theatre Marae projects have been carried out in kāinga, schools, prisons, youth justice residential centres, community centres and mainstream theatres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Although its creative and therapeutic outcomes are influenced by both Western and Māori psychologies and performance traditions, the underlying principles and day-to-day practice of Theatre Marae are based in te ao Māori. This configuration positions Theatre Marae as an Indigenous creative framework that is also applicable to Kaupapa Māori arts-based research.