Abstract
I curate an international play festival at Ohio Northern University, which in 2021 was dedicated to the subject of climate change; we teamed up with the organization, Climate Change Theatre Action, to produce several five minute plays, commissioned by writers from around the world. The theatre event provided the centerpiece for a host of initiatives, united by the following objectives: to create an artistic response to the climate crisis; to engage local and international perspectives; to connect people from varying disciplines in order to listen, learn and share ideas about climate change action; and to build community. On a practical level, we brought students, faculty, and international artists together around the act of making art about climate change. The project reinforces the theoretical proposition that art can be a valuable tool with which to move the climate change conversation forward, and falls under the disciplinary framework of Theatre for Social Change. The process included: initial dramaturgy with the student acting company, community engagement with members of the campus, and initiatives–including the final performance–that engaged the larger community. All phases entailed local and global components, and interdisciplinary interactions. Effectiveness was measured primarily by the nature and level of engagement with all parties, as well as an evaluation of the design of the project and its components. Conclusions include the firm belief that the project was unique, inspired, and completely worthy, but that it included challenges useful to contemplate for the sake of similar initiatives in the future.
Presenters
Joan RobbinsAssociate Professsor, BA Theatre Program Head, School of Visual and Performing Arts, Theatre Program, Ohio Northern University, Ohio, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
Theatre Practice, University, Climate Change, Art and Activism, International Theatre
