Applied Theatre

I've been reading a bit on the Internet about Applied Theatre, and Theatre for Therapy which is very closely linked to community theatre, and what community theatre aims to do. In the Community Performance book I have been reading they speak briefly about the arc of Applied Theatre and the types of theatre that can be included. 


Reflective Exercise from book:  
What do you consider can be types of Applied Theatre?

• Applied Theatre-theatre for the masses, applying the theatre to different settings
• Trying to make a difference
• Community Theatre- bringing theatre to the community, to different environments, to different groups of people
• Theatre as Therapy- using theatre for change, using theatre as a process for therapeutic relief, stress relief, emotional issues and personal growth.
• Showing people that not only the elite can be involved in the arts
• Applied Theatre can be with youth, offenders, prisoners, people with learning disabilities, anybody in society  

There are many different 'communities' within the field of Applied Theatre and in the local area, not just community theatre groups providing performances in the community such as Centre Stage (Leek) and The Potteries Theatre Company  but also more unusual groups such as the Borderlines Group at the New Vic Theatre who work with young mothers, ex offenders, people with learning disabilities and more. And there is also a group called Rideout who work with prisoners and members of staff in UK prisons facilitating creative arts programmes used as a way to explore what impact criminal behaviour has on people, not just the prisoners, but families and others around them. They are based in Staffordshire, and like to retain emphasis on working mainly in prisons in the Midlands, such as HMP Dovegate. They feel that the creative arts process is particularly appropriate for giving voice to such communities as those in a prison. The following link is a report into the into the drama facilitated at Dovegate prison- http://www.rideout.org.uk/documents/the_means_of_production.pdf. 


   Another Applied Theatre company similar to Rideout are TiPP (Theatre in Prison and Probation). The company based in Manchester, were originally part of Manchester University's Drama Department, there philosophy is that 'theatre and related arts have the power to transform people's lives' (http://www.tipp.org.uk/tipp/index.php?page=about). Since starting they have branched out from the University and made a name for themselves working with people in the criminal justice system on arts projects, and they also work with drug and alcohol users, and other people outcast by society. 


It is fair to say that all kinds of community theatre are closely linked to politics and can be seen as a form of political theatre, used to promote change in society as well a promoting the importance of belonging and acceptance in communities.  


Through my research into Applied Theatre I have discovered a few more organisations that might be useful in the future these are:

• Applied and Interactive Theatre Guide (http://www.tonisant.com/aitg/)- a resource for those who have and interest/or use theatre for different purposes than the 'norm'
• Artsadmin  (http://www.artsadmin.co.uk/)-a broader website for people involved in all areas of arts.
• International network for Contemporary Performing Arts (http://www.ietm.org/)- again a good organisation for news about what is happening in the arts world, projects, events and opportunities. 
• ArtsAlliance (http://artsalliance.ning.com/)- a similar resource to those above listing events, news, projects and jobs.
• Social Arts Network (http://socialartsnetwork.ning.com/)- again as above.
• Arts Professional (http://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/index.cfm)- a resource for staying in touch with arts people, news and events. 

  What is Creativity?