Valuing trans-disciplinarity: Forum Theatre in Tabasco and Chiapas, Mexico

Walsh, Aylwyn; Olvera‐Hernández, Silvia; Mesa-Jurado, M. Azahara; Borchi, Alice; Novo, Paula; Martín-Ortega, Julia; Holmes, George

doi:10.1080/13569783.2022.2083951

Cited by 4 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Forum Theatre allows us to create reflexive interaction among the research team and local artists. In this regard, the perspectives and knowledge from the scientific researchers was not privileged over the performers in terms of the final script and performances (Walsh et al, 2022). For example, the scripted materials were drafted by the core team and further revised by local performers.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prior to the performance, we trained local artists (performers) in the techniques of Forum Theatre (Walsh et al, 2022). This aimed to train skilled artist-facilitators who were aware of the communities' social context and who would not oversimplify or misrepresent their message (Guhrs et al, 2006).…”

Section: Training and Rehearsalmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 4 4 See Walsh et al (2022) for more information about the methodological approach for writing the script. …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Forum Theatre as a mechanism to explore representation of local people's values in environmental governance: A case of study from Chiapas, Mexico

et al. 2022

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Nature degradation, poverty and social discrimination are some of the consequences of unfair decision‐making over environmental resources within rural communities in the Global South. Barriers to achieving fair environmental decisions are entrenched power differences and the lack of representation of the diversity of local values in environmental decision‐making. Using intersectionality and value pluralism as a conceptual base, this is the first paper to examine the potential of Forum Theatre, a performance arts‐based method, to discuss ‘solutions’ regarding power differences and values towards nature in environmental decision‐making. We implemented Forum Theatre in two rural villages in Chiapas, Mexico, framed around conflicts and power differences in eco‐tourism development. Participants felt empathy with the Forum Theatre characters and dissatisfaction over the conflicts, and this motivated them to engage and participate in collective reflections on their own personal experiences with power differences in environmental decision‐making. From these reflections, participants performed diverse ‘solutions’ to the conflicts, bringing to the fore plural interconnected and dynamic values towards nature in these narratives. Despite this, Forum Theatre does not look to ‘solve’ conflicts; it is a safe space to explore how power differences and values towards nature play out in environmental decision‐making. Results offer a promising picture of the potential of Forum Theatre as an opening where participants could discuss power differences and values towards nature. However, establishing its potential as a tool in environmental decision‐making would require engaging those involved in implementing environmental decisions that affect the communities but who operate from other levels of the governance structure, such as policy‐makers and large NGOs. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Training and Rehearsalmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Forum Theatre as a mechanism to explore representation of local people's values in environmental governance: A case of study from Chiapas, Mexico

et al. 2022

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show abstract

“…In this sense, when these methods are implemented, local knowledge is shaped to cover this necessity of quick and tangible results (Cooke and Kothari, 2001), and universalised solutions (Turnhout et al, 2020). Furthermore, dialogues limited by Western models of cognition emphasise the use of language as the main form to communicate, in contrast to non-linguistic, tacit, and experiential knowledge (Mohan and Stokke, 2000;Walsh et al, 2022). Human-nature relationships are characterised by complexity, uncertainty, and emotions (Muhr, 2020); by emphasising singular forms of cognition grounded in Western models, values towards nature expressed through other forms risk being ignored.…”

Section: From Conventional Participatory Methods To Performance Arts-...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The conflict was based on previous research conducted in the area (Olvera-Hernández et al, 2022) and reflected on the difficulties faced by women, landless people and young people in participating in ejidal assemblies. Each scene had specific conflicts based on the power differences of the characters, and showed the values they held (Walsh et al, 2022).…”

Section: Forum Theatre Script Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%