Overview

Based on a longitudinal study with disadvantaged youth, this book provides an auto-ethnographic perspective on the complexities of working as a practitioner within marginalised communities. The author tells the story of the Penwithen Boys project, highlighting the power of drama intervention at a critical time in the participants’ adolescence. It explores the impact of excluding young people from mainstream education and how young people can respond differently in a drama environment, compared to other formal educational or institutional settings. It also comments on the decline of drama education and raises questions about who has access to applied drama projects. Coyne also shares her 17-year quest to track down the boys and understand what, if any, effect the drama project had on their lives. Through the authentic voices of the boys, now men, the book shows that applied drama can have life-changing effects. Providing authentic insights, this important text offers invaluable guidelines for drama educators for working safely and sustainably with deeply challenged, marginalised and resistant participants and provides a look into the challenges for applied drama practitioners touching on some of the author's work with other groups including refugees and Travellers.

Full Product Details

9781032950655

Table of Contents

Reviews

“This unique, heart-felt study of the long-term effects of engaging with drama demonstrates with conviction and courage how much society is in need of such practices. This book is a vital resource for practitioners and academics alike. Yet its most important place should be on the shelves of every politician whose brief encompasses community development, cohesion and offering an improved life chance to the excluded and forgotten. Coyne's determination and belief shines through every page of this powerful advocacy for the key role of the applied arts in enabling human potential.” Tim Prentki, Emeritus Professor of Theatre for Development, University of Winchester, UK. “Honest, brave, insightful account by a gifted applied drama practitioner about creating a play with excluded teenage boys. It’s rare to hear the reflections of participants almost two decades later and discover how the journey has affected them all. Engrossing - and a valuable contribution to debates on inclusion in education and society.” Dr Beverley Naidoo, Carnegie-winning author of The Other Side of Truth

Author Information

Sharon Coyne is artistic director of Vita Nova, a community theatre group for those in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. For many years, she was also co-director of Bournemouth Theatre in Education, delivering TIE programmes across all age ranges and devising large-scaled community theatre projects. Her work with marginalised communities has included refugees, Gypsies, Travellers and excluded young people. She sees theatre as a way of celebrating those who have often been left behind and is Theatre Officer for National Drama.

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