Theatre and Peacebuilding

Abstract

Theatre for peacebuilding is increasingly gaining scholarly and practitioner interest as an approach for peacebuilding. Often found within critical and developing agendas in peace and conflict studies, it is seen to offer a possible platform to creatively engage with conflict narratives and emotional cultures of conflict. The range of theatre forms used for peacebuilding that encompass professional and participatory theatre aimed at personal healing, relationship building, dialogue, peace education, coexistence, and resistance illustrate the versatility of theatre as an approach. Prevailing peacebuilding can benefit from the broader repertoires of communication, representation, and participation offered within the theatre space. The entry provides a discussion of theatre forms used for peacebuilding and the contributions theatre can offer to peacebuilding. In conclusion, it identifies areas for further research.