by Motahar Akand, Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK)
View full notebook in English. [*note]

The goal of Action Theatre is to develop the capacities of young people and cultural activists at the grassroots level to be a force for change, helping to create a society based on human rights, gender equity and social justice. The tactical outcome is the creation of local theatre groups who would initiate discussion, debate, analysis and actions on critical human rights issues in their community. Participants in the tactic also enhance their leadership skills and human rights awareness.

Six individual elements–six roles–work in conjunction with one another to provide a complete Action Theatre experience:

• Initiator: Creates an action theatre group.
• Core team: ASK staff members who initiate Action Theatre in other communities.
• Primary team: Community members who form the human rights theatre group, or Manobadhikar Natya Parishad (MNP), and implement action theatre
• Upazilla level Manobadhikar Natya Parishad (UzMNP): Federation of local MNP groups.
• Partner NGO or PNGO: The local group with which ASK works to coordinate the program.
• Community Organizer (CO): Local community member working under the supervision of the PNGO to build the primary team and provide support to them.
• Audience: Participants in performance who are tasked with defining the action to be taken.

In this tactical notebook, we outline the Action Theatre framework that has been developed and replicated in twelve working areas across Bangladesh. We will share the key elements and steps necessary for the successful application of this tactic, as well as some of the challenges and unexpected outcomes we have seen. Local theatre groups are now gaining ground as a mobilizing force in Bangladesh. This tactical notebook will help provide you with the information you need to determine whether Action Theatre is appropriate for your country and human rights issue.

View full notebook in English.


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