Principians Share the Transforming Power of Theatre

Students in this semester’s Theatre for Social Change class put the title of their course into practice, literally. Working alongside Annenberg Scholar Caroline Watson (pictured above in the center) and students at Alton High School, they created characters and stories that give voice to challenges in this river town.

For over 20 years, Watson has lived and worked in Asia, where, as founder and director of Hua Dan, she uses theatre as an agent for social change to support migrant workers in China, particularly women. Inspired by the innovative work of Brazilian actor Augusto Boal, who utilized theatre to explore issues communities face and find ways to solve them, she develops programs in partnership with schools and community organizations in Beijing. Earlier in the semester, she spoke to students on both campuses about her work in China. (Listen to her talk at the College.)

Since then, Watson has worked with students from Principia and Alton High School on a new play This Is Our Story, created and scripted exclusively by the Alton High School students themselves, that gives voice to such challenges as family dysfunction, drug use, difficult relationships, and standing up for what’s right. What’s more, audience members won’t just watch the play. They’ll become active agents for change—what Boal termed “spect-actors”—as they discuss the stories presented and explore possible solutions through stepping into the play themselves as characters.

The experience brought a fresh and dynamic look at the transformative potential of theatre for sophomore Tim Steckler. “It’s amazing to see these kids realize that they have a voice and the power to express themselves freely in the context of theatre,” he says. “Giving kids parts in a production to solve the issues they face can open so many doors for them.”

Sophomore Elle Miller agrees. “We have been striving to teach the kids that theatre is not a distraction from everything in life—it's the means to a solution,” she explains. “If the program can help change the perspective or empower the thoughts of a single student, then it has succeeded. Plus, as students of Christian Science, we have been working to facilitate their growth and challenge our own sense of ego or personal creativity with truer reflections of Love.”

A free public performance of This Is Our Story will take place at Jacoby Arts Center at 627 E. Broadway in Alton on Sunday, April 24, at 3 p.m. In addition, Watson will speak again on Tuesday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m. in Wanamaker Hall. Her title for that talk is “Spirituality and the Arts.” Listen live on Principia Internet Radio.