Theatre-in-Action uses interactive, participatory theatre as a tool for community-building, youth empowerment, conflict resolution, social justice, bullying prevention, and social change. Based in Burlington, Vermont, Theatre-in-Action works with schools (grades 3-12), educators, colleges, performing arts organizations, social service agencies, and advocacy organizations to express, perceive, analyze, act, reflect, and transform the world in which they live.
“You have made an impact on all of us and I want you to know that. For me myself you gave me way more confidence and I’m not scared anymore. I hope you can come back!” – Linsey, 5th grade
Theatre-in-Action Programs include:
Exploring images of oppression with 7th and 8th graders
Theatre Workshops: On-site theatre classes explore character development, empathy, improvisation, body language, play-building, and further applications for theatre as a tool both onstage and off.
Anti-Oppression Workshops: Using varieties of theater techniques, we work with youth, teens, and adults to unlearn racism, homophobia, sexism and other forms of oppression.
Bullying Prevention: The Theatre-in-Action drama-integrated bullying prevention program involves strategies for physical, emotional, and social learning about conflict and oppression from students’ own perspectives.
“Theatre-in-Action taught me how to stand up for myself.”
Original Interactive Performances: Collaborate on creating issue-based theatre that explores social justice and social change. These original performances allow a class or community to look at their collective issues and problem-solve as spect-actors (participant-observers).
Conflict Resolution, Team-Building, Leadership Training:We work with groups to facilitate internal community building and self-discovery. Trainings involve participatory theater as a way of exploring non-violent conflict resolution, conflict analysis, and creative problem solving.
Performance Poetry Workshops: If you don’t tell your story, someone else will speak for you. Use poetry writing and performance to find and craft your voice with honesty, detail, and imagination. Learn to perform your poetry, host a poetry slam, participate in a poetry jam, and share the power of your words. Writing and performance poetry workshops range from one-hour to multi-day residencies in schools and communities. Professional development opportunities are also available.
Theatre-in-Action Project Partners
Vermont Adult Learning
Charlotte Central School
Integrated Arts Academy, Burlington
St. Albans Town Educational Center
Rose Street Artists’ Cooperative, Burlington
YWCA Vermont