HowlRound Theatre Commons: Jennifer Schaupp is a US-based adjunct professor, storyteller, and comedic improvisor embarking on a PhD in Creativity examining how applied theatre can enhance the English language learning process, mental health, and civic engagement of those new to the country.
3 comments:
I really think that empowerment is something core to the ideas and ideals of theater, and I believe that theater has the incredible power to make people both fully actualize themselves, and also help realize the personhood of others. I’ve seen things like what's talked about in this article in my own time working in theaters–with one of the best examples being a production of “The Miracle Worker.” It’s a play about how Anne Sullivan tutored Helen Keller, and how she helped Keller understand the world around her. It was a wonderful example of how empowerment can aid in theater, as the whole cast had translators follow them interpreting for the deaf members of the audience and it was a really great experience to see how accessibility could be directly incorporated into a show like that. I think telling stories is one of the most powerful tools we have as a society against oppression, and theater is one of the best ways to tell an impactful story.
Bringing people a sense of community and togetherness is one of the most important factors when working with others in this industry, It is extremely important to have good communication with all of the departments that someone is working with because then it makes it easier to make art with them. It not only empowers the people to know what they need to do but the trust that then is there is unbreakable if the communication continues to happen. Theatre is extremely important because it not only makes people think about the world around them but think about their own personal life in a much deeper way. It is important that people can feel something when they are experiencing any form of art because that is one of the main reasons why it is so important to continue making art. Having the trust and the honesty to let go is extremely important with art to make sure the emotion is there.
I thought that this was a very empowering and important article for these opinions to be voiced. This is the first I've heard and learned about Jennifer Schaupp and Dr. Felicia Owusu-Ansah, and their experiences with TO, emphasizing its value in addressing social issues and empowering communities. Learning about her personal liberation experience in Canada and how she brought it to Ghana to use it as a tool for community engagement and addressing local concerns was very powerful. It reminded me of how meaningful and powerful theater and art can be in safely voicing societal concerns and issues and getting an audience to view things in new perspectives and find empowerment and importance in such things. The global potential of TO for cross-cultural understanding and how TO can be a bridge between cultures, breaking misconceptions and promoting dialogue is something I look forward to seeing in the hopefully near future.
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