Drama and the Development of Rural Communities – JSS3 Cultural & Creative Arts Lesson Note (Third Term)

Theatre for development is the use of live performance as a tool for development.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain what theatre for development means;
2. list the forms of live performance that theatre for development includes;
3. describe the state of rural communities;
4. state the causes of slow development in rural communities;
5. state ways in which drama can assist rural people.

What is theatre for development?

Theatre for development is live performance or theatre used as a developmental tool, including in international development.

• Audience: the activities are performed live before people.
• Purpose: to help communities understand their problems and find solutions.
• Method: it moves from theatre that is watched to theatre that is practised with the people.

What forms of live performance does it include?

Theatre for development includes four forms of live performance.

1. Spoken word drama or comedy: actors tell a story or make a point using speech.
2. Music, singing and dance: a production built on songs, rhythm and dance.
3. Movement without sound: a production told only through action and body movement, such as mime.
4. Participatory or improvisational theatre: uses any or all of the forms above, with the community taking part.

What is participatory theatre?

Participatory theatre is theatre practised with people, not only performed for them.

• It is a progression from less interactive forms to a more dialogical process.
• It involves listening to the concerns of communities.
• It then encourages the people to voice and solve their own problems.

What is the state of rural communities?

A rural community is a village or farming area away from big towns, and many such communities develop slowly.

• Youth migration: young people leave rural areas for towns and cities in search of white-collar jobs.
• Effect of migration: development slows down, since youths play a key role in building rural communities.
• Low development: it is observed that the level of development is low in the rural communities of the Southeast states of Nigeria.

What are the causes of low development in rural communities?

There are three main causes of low development in rural communities.

• High poverty: many families have little income.
• Low standard of living: people have limited access to good food, housing and services.
• Government neglect: basic amenities are not provided, such as water, roads, electricity, schools and health centres.

How can drama assist rural people?

Drama can assist rural people in six ways.

1. Promoting good health practices: interactive drama helps rural people assess their health needs and find solutions to their problems, so they adopt best health practices.
2. Creating work: active participation in drama gives rural people a way to earn a living.
3. Teaching moral lessons: televised drama shows events in urban areas and teaches morals.
4. Touring: some rural people are taken to urban areas, where they perform with actors and learn more through drama.
5. Promoting culture: drama showcases the culture, tradition and beliefs of rural people, and helps people across the country and beyond to understand their value.
6. Training: training programmes equip rural people in the art of drama and in self-improvement.

How do the problems and the help match?

Where are live dramas performed in Nigeria?

A popular place in Lagos State where live dramas are performed is the National Theatre, Iganmu.

• National Theatre, Iganmu: a well-known venue for stage plays in Lagos.
• Not a drama venue: the National Museum, Onikan, and the Esie Museum keep and display artefacts.

Evaluation

1. What does theatre for development represent?
2. List the four forms of live performance that theatre for development includes.
3. State two causes of low development in rural communities.
4. State two other ways that drama can help rural people.
5. Which one of these is NOT a way of assisting rural people through drama? (a) Giving them chances to take part in drama. (b) Showing them urban norms through drama. (c) Disregarding their culture and favouring Western culture. (d) None of the above.

Assignment

Read Cultural and Creative Art by Peter Akinyemi, Book 3, pages 91 to 95. Then describe the state of rural communities briefly and explain how drama can help them.