Theatre for Development is one of the most dynamic and controversial theatre movements on the global South. Emerging in Southern Africa in the 1970s to address social and economic problems using theatrical techniques, today it is taught in theatre departments across sub-Saharan Africa and employed in numerous contexts from health care to…

Experientially, this article explores issues and problems vis-à-vis the teaching and learning of dance in Nigeria. The article finds that the relegation of dance education in Nigerian higher schools of learning is linked to many factors which include: lack of manpower, lack of infrastructure and knowledge of the numerous values of dance education…

This paper reports on how participation in a secondary school musical production, within a life skills education programme, may contribute curricularly and pedagogically towards equipping learners for meaningful, successful living in a rapidly transforming society. Using the life skills curriculum for the subject Life Orientation, and employing…

An outstanding problem that has haunted most development workers in Africa has been how to effectively engage rural communities who often have no access to modern technological media like newspapers, radio, television, video and film. The tendency has been for development workers to resort to top-down or blueprint development approaches that…

The author discusses the use of popular theater as an adult education tool. She emphasizes its use in information campaigns. (CH)

The author describes the Theatre for Development program in Africa. This program uses native community theater to teach the public lessons about health, work methods, and other topics that the public is unlikely to pursue actively through the print media. (CH)

Argues that Theatre for Development in Bangladesh practiced by Non-Governmental Organizations, which is almost entirely funded by international donor organizations, serves globalization in the name of poverty alleviation. Concludes by advocating for the necessity of exploring alternatives by which indigenous theatre performers may access directly…

This document explores, from a Dutch perspective, the role of the performing arts in education in developing nations. In particular, the analysis focuses on Zambia. Introductory sections of the report touch on the connections among culture, education, and performance, as well as the role of avant-garde and popular theater, the theme of alienation,…

This document describes the development of theater in Africa, over the last 20 years, from a medium of entertainment for the colonial elite to an African theatre, after independence. It describes various approaches to the use of theater as a medium of education and development. Nine chapters in the book concern: (l) background to African drama;…

Discusses the term Theatre for Development (TFD) by addressing the theatre practice developed by a group of women in Mundemba Sub-Division, Cameroon, which was presented in Anne Tanyi-Tang's article "Theatre for Change: An Analysis of Two Performances by Women in Mundemba Sub-Division" in an earlier issue of this journal. Considers…

Considers how the Nigerian theatre scene has been dominated by the necessity of practicing theatre that is of direct relevance to its audience in terms of acceptability and functionality. Notes that the "Tandari" experiences were intended to contribute to the reformation process of young people in prison. Documents the process, findings…

Describes a workshop held in Zambia in August 1979, to disseminate among performing artists and rural development workers skills for using the performing arts to communicate information on problems related to agriculture, health, and community development. Over 70 participants from the U.S., Canada, Botswana, Lesotho, Tanzania, Kenya, and Zambia…

Gives a personal account of the authors' experiences as ex-patriots in Malawi, using theatre for education and development at a time when art, entertainment and education may have been the last thing on their audiences' minds. Describes how they developed and rehearsed a play and had plans to take it to 10 villages. (SG)

Oral folklore and folk drama are emphasized in this report, which focuses on the use of folk media to convey developmental messages through mass media agencies. Discussion covers the relationship between folk and mass media, experiments in India to integrate the two media, problems encountered in the integration process, and folk media's potential…

Communication activities in participatory development programs include (1) theater for development in Africa; (2) workshops on cultural identity and politics in Colombia; and (3) Project DELSILIFE, improving the quality of life in Manila. (SK)