Theater As Student/Parent/Family Voice; Theater As Social Justice Teaching Tool

 

Theme: Drama and Theater

Ages Adult- Grade Level: 9-12th

Authors: Gwyneth Bruch

English Teacher; Drama Director, Davis High School (Davis, CA)

 

 

Theatre is a very powerful venue, and as such, can be a powerful teaching tool for social 

justice. 

 

I recommend:

 

* Researching and purchasing professionally written and produced scripts written by and 

featuring people of color. It is critical to have material that will speak for and to young people/families of 

every hue and ethnicity. Such venues as Dramatists Play Service and Samuel French are 

the 2 best resources. Always preview the material before purchase as titles can be deceptive. 

Both can be found on line. You'll be able to find works geared toward children as well as adult 

works. 

 

* I also recommend having Students/Parents/Families write their own scripts. These should be naturalistic 

pieces that speak to the experiences of kindergartners through seniors in high school/adult families. I've 

been away from elementary teaching for too long to speak with authority on the age at which 

students/parents can write their own scripts, but older students can write pieces for young ones and parents

can support each other or team up to write a script.. They can also write faerie or folk or simply cautionary or

educational tales to help young children learn about and be proud of their heritage. The interaction between young and older will 

encourage and challenge those on both ends of the partnership to grow. I recommend 

partnerships not include parents who may well have their own agenda - sincerely and 

innocently - although it can be fun and productive to have students interview a grandparent or 

elder for source material. It can also be fun for young parents to interview grandparents.

 

Spoken Word is amazing, but don't use that exclusively and call it a day. Help your families/ students Dramatize

what's important to them. * If you are truly adventurous and have time, budget and a vision, I also encourage you to 

work with families to write and produce full scale shows that celebrate heritage and 

culture. Such a show should be broken up into manageable pieces and should include music 

and dance as well as stories. Find a Taiko drummer, individuals who own and can play African 

drums and a Dhol drum from India. Drums are fun. Dance is also a favorite with audiences 

and young ones with a fear of talking, but a love of movement. Wouldn’t it be great to take a 

trip around the world, stopping in those countries from which your students can trace their 

lineage.

 

Your goal is to educate and instill a sense of pride and ownership in your students and any 

audiences you may invite. We must actively, joyously, and loudly celebrate our students' 

various cultures and ethnicity.