Fear and embarrassment prevent frank and meaningful communication on the topic of sex. Participatory theatre can break the uncomfortable silence, and with over 700 performances across Canada, Jane Heather's award-winning play Are We There Yet? has been an effective tool for teaching teen sexuality since 1998. The play and accompanying educational program were the subject of a major impact assessment where researchers from many disciplines examined how and why theatre can make change. This comprehensive, well-organized volume by two leading experts in community-based theatre offers a rich diversity of material and analysis. Theatre, Teens, Sex Ed will be a valuable resource for academics, practitioners, and specialist readerships in the fields of theatre, sex education, sociology, and public health.
The play appears in the volume and is available separately as a reproducible PDF. A video production of examples of theatrical participation is included on a pocketed DVD.
Contributors: Shaniff Esmail, Brenda Munro, Tracy L. Bear, James McKinnon, and the Are We There Yet? Community-University Research Alliance.
Jan Selman is Professor in the Department of Drama at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. She directs contemporary and original theatrical work. Jane Heather is a playwright and Associate Professor in the Department of Drama at the University of Alberta. Both have worked extensively creating theatre for change in collaboration with communities.
Preface
PART I
using theatre to make change
Global Road Trip
1 gps / Theatre to Make Change
2 Internal Combustion / Sexual Health Education: Urgency and Strategies for Change // Shaniff Esmail, James McKinnon, and Brenda Munro
3 Teens Take the Wheel / Are We There Yet? The Play // Jane Heather
4 In the Driver’s Seat / Participatory Theatre: Shared Knowledge Making
PART II
collaborations for change / The Importance of Partnerships
5 Car Pooling / Community Partners and Alliances
6 Dual Drive / The Are We There Yet? Sexual Health Partner Roles
7 Customized / Adapting Are We There Yet? for Community Specificity
PART III
researching theatre for change / Interdisciplinary Research in Theatre for Change
8 Bridge Construction—Slow Ahead / Creating a Play from Community Research
9 Consumer Report / Yes, But Does it Work? Program Assessment // Shaniff Esmail, Brenda Munro, and James McKinnon
10 Car Toons // The Pedagogy of Laughter // James McKinnon
11 Rez Rides / Storytelling Revolution: Reaching Out to Aboriginal Youth // Tracy L. Bear
12 Modified Ride / Experiments and Explorations in Adaptation
13 It’s the Wheel Thing / What Can Theatre Do? And How Do We Know?
14 Where Are We Now? Are We There Yet?
APPENDICES
1 Theatre
2 Sexual Health
3 Community Meeting
4 Promoting the Are We There Yet? Program
5 The Are We There Yet? Community-University
Research Alliance Partners
Bibliography
Contributors
Index
