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Integrating Conflict Resolution Theatre and Theatre for Development in application to ethnic conflict resolution in South West region of Nigeria

University of British Columbia

The growing number of ethnic conflicts in communities in the South West and other parts of Nigeria have contributed to a rising lack of sustainable development. Previous research on the theatre as a tool for sustainable development has relied on the use of Theatre for Development (TFD), to help members of target community to pursue the goals of self-development and an improved quality of life. However, practitioners of TFD have not addressed issues of ethnic conflict within a community as a potential key to sustainable development. In response to the dramatic rise of this kind of conflict in Nigeria, this thesis explores the potential for addressing ethnic conflicts through the integration of Conflict Resolution Theatre (CRT) and Theatre for Development (TFD). Building from Epskamp Kees' (2006) learner-oriented and message-centered approach to TFD, DeVito Joseph's (1989) model for conflict resolution, and data collected from interviews form TFD practices in South West Nigeria, the research proposes a model for approaching ethnic conflict resolution in communities in Nigeria and elsewhere. The research applies the use of scripted plays, using the case study of Osofisan’s Women of Owu, and Image Theatre (Boal 2002) to create community-based awareness of the reality behind a crisis, and provides a pathway for ongoing work in the afflicted communities that moves towards a collective community-based resolution of the conflict.

Text

2020-12-03

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/76653

Theatre

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/