Complex associations : facilitator, host and refugee, a 'round-about' way of drama for inclusion

This dissertation focuses on the use of drama as a method of fostering inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers living in host communities. It examines two theatrically based studies simultaneously facilitated over a six month period between July and December of 2012 and explores the two programs from the stage of conception to conclusions regarding their effectiveness in tackling issues related to social exclusion, xenophobic sentiment and violence.The study approaches the topic from three social perspectives considering the position of refugee, host and facilitator and parallels these positions in order to highlight relationship structures which both prevent and assist in the fostering of inclusion and/or coexistence. The study further examines how the interactions help to develop the programs and how the use of theatre can bridge societal gaps; with a unique focus on environments where host and refugee find themselves in a non-encounter position due to the potential for violence. The research methodology stems primarily from grounded theory and brings together elements of symbolic interactionism, pedagogy, sociology, psychology and applied theatre. The method looks at increasing and facilitating communication about and between host and refugee through exploration in applied theatre and intends to increase social understanding between the parties by challenging participant’s stereotypes of the other.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Drama

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Hughes, Shannon

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Baxter, Veronica
• Morris, Gay

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11719

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/11719