Expectations exceeded
30.04.2010
It was my experiences of being with the poor that opened my eyes to structural injustice and changed me. My desire for this transformation of young people motivated me to initiate ‘Columban Youth Theatre of the Oppressed.’
Theatre of the Oppressed is a type of community-based education that uses theatre as a tool for change. The PREDA* Foundation in the Philippines and Cena Um a dance group initiated by Fr Colin McLean in Brazil use different forms of this education through theatre. I wanted to introduce its possibilities to young people in Australia.
I approached St Peter’s College, Tuggerah on the Central Coast of New South Wales (NSW) which has excellent dance and drama teachers and we began a partnership. The three groups came together during World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, articulating some of their situations of social injustice. The impact was profound on the actors. “I wish it wasn’t ending,” said one of St Peter’s students. “I wish we could go around the world and spread our messages to everyone.” The seeds planted, obviously needed to grow!
Two teachers from St Peter’s College and I decided an immersion experience in Columban projects in the Philippines would deepen the students’ understanding and transformation. We planned a program and eight dance and drama students began the preparatory phase.
In September 2009, we accompanied the students on their life-changing journey. After arriving in Manila we headed for San Jose, Cavite where we were warmly welcomed by a people’s theatre group, Maskara.
Albert Gavino, the leader, explained how he gathered local young people to perform theatre related to social justice issues. Now they conduct theatre workshops on environmental issues such as coastal resource management with young fisher folk.
Soon our two groups were practicing theatre exercises together; it was the beginning of many hours of workshops and interaction.
“It was great to go to their homes and see how they live,” said Emma. “One of the Maskara dancers had been attacked by a gang and forced down a manhole that broke her legs - a horrific experience which she related to us with pain on her face. But then she wiped away her tears, smiled and showed us how she had recovered and is now dancing beautifully. I am going to use her story in my drama piece for the HSC.”
We headed north-west to Subic Bay, Olongapo and the Preda Foundation which rescues boys from prisons and girls caught up in the sex industry. The boys presented a play that depicted their prison experiences of violence, hunger and boredom. Preda Akbay led workshops on the ways it uses theatre to help young people in recovery as well as to educate others in the Philippines and overseas. There was lots of laughter and fun with shared learning of dances and theatre games.
Our group then accompanied two young PREDA social workers on a prison visit where boys are jailed for up to 12 months on charges of glue sniffing or stealing while they await their hearings. This was really confronting for our students but it helped them make connections between poverty and structural injustice.
“This immersion exceeded our expectations,” reflected Pollyanna. “Our students had their eyes opened through personal interaction and the common language of dance and drama.” “Instead of going to Schoolies Week, I have already arranged to go back as a volunteer,” said Rachel. “We have formed our own group,” said Larissa. “We will incorporate some of the techniques learned in the Philippines and go to local parishes.”
We plan to travel to some rural NSW towns to do some theatre workshops on Australian experiences of bullying and alcohol abuse. This is a powerful way to bring the Gospel message to our Australian youth.
Anne Lanyon is Co-ordinator of the Columban Mission Institute Centre for Peace, Ecology and Justice at Strathfield in Sydney.
*People’s Recovery, Empowerment and Development Assistance Foundation.
