Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37948

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Subject: search.filters.subject.SDG-4: Quality education

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 25
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    Hip hop and Narrative Therapy in Drama Therapy: An Exploration of the ways in which Hip hop in Narrative Form can be used to Address issues of Displacement, Foster Cohesion and Conscientize a Sense of Self in Urban Adolescents
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Dlamini, Sanelisiwe; Busika, Nonkululeko
    This research explored how Hip hop therapy and narrative therapy within the drama therapy frame can be integrated for the purposes of a psychosocial intervention for adolescents in urban Johannesburg. The research was conducted with adolescents from Organisation X, ranging between the ages of 14-18 years. This research addressed issues of displacement, violence, xenophobia, social cohesion and self-awareness in the intervention. The research methodology used a qualitative approach that is practice-based and arts-based. The design included semi- structured interviews with the four care workers at organisation X, questionnaires and creative focus groups with ten selected adolescents. This was an eight-week intervention to investigate the various ways in which Hip hop and narrative therapy can be used in the drama therapy context to address psychosocial issues affecting the adolescents. The findings of the study reflect that self-esteem of more than half the participants increased during the course of the intervention, they grew a friendlier perception towards outsiders and their sense of belonging improved during the intervention.
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    Researching the visual representation of Arab Muslim people and themes through Orientalism in Disney’s Aladdin (1992) and then using this research to develop a progressive retelling of the story
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Albertyn, Za’yaanah; Reid, Kirsten
    This paper aims to shed light onto the shadows cast by the creation of the animated characters and settings in Aladdin (1992), and questions how these depictions may have shaped perceptions and inadvertently perpetuated harmful stereotypes. By shedding light on these aspects, the paper contributes to a critical evaluation of the broader implications of animated content in shaping societal attitudes and reinforcing cultural stereotypes.
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    Exploring the efficacy of an audience-centred approach in establishing culturally sensitive art centres in Tshwane
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mahlangu, Thato; Desando, Marcus
    Newly established art centres based in cities are probed by cultural policy discourses to engage with the surrounding public audiences through curating relatable art exhibitions that are socially inclusive. An increasing number of visitors at the Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria are finding it difficult to interpret and relate to art exhibitions. This explorative case study explores the efficacy of integrating an audience-centred approach in art centres such as the Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria. The study determines whether exhibitions curated by this cultural institution are socially and culturally relatable and how they could potentially foster cultural democracy for visiting audiences. The case study employs a purposive sampling method comprising of Javett-UP representatives, art specialists and Javett-UP visitors involved in focus-group interviews and in-depth semi-structured interviews to determine whether the Javett-UP fosters cultural democracy. The research results prove how the relationship between audience engagement, cultural sensitivity and cultural democracy is premised on social and cultural capital. Additional research findings highlight the importance of these capitals in establishing audience perception. Finally, research findings support a stronger engagement with surrounding communities using a culturally sensitive lens that begins with understanding audience needs to create a mutually beneficial value proposition. This research argues that the use of a culturally sensitive lens when engaging with audiences in art centres informs the curation of relatable and engaging exhibitions that foster cultural democracy for audience living in cities.
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    Forum Theatre as a Form of Protest: A Practice-Based Investigation
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Chetty, Teakshania; Bhebhe, Sibongile
    This study examines Forum Theatre's (FT) impact within the Fees Must Fall (FMF) movement in South Africa, highlighting its role in protest and social change. Findings show FT empowers participants, promotes understanding of systemic injustices, and fosters solidarity and innovative strategies for activism. The research advocates for further investigation into FT's effects, collaboration between FT practitioners and social movements, and increased support for FT initiatives. Ultimately, FT is presented as a vital tool for social activism, enabling mobilization, education, and empowerment.
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    Genre and Narrative in Adaptation: Romance in Heartstopper from comic to live-action series
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Odura, Twumwaa; Geyser, Hanli; Randle, Oluwarotimi
    This dissertation examines the impact of romance genre conventions on a comic narrative through utilising Heartstopper by Alice Oseman as an instrumental bound case study. This will be done by utilising the five-step “Transmedial Analysis Framework”, as set out by Bruhn and Schirrmacher in “Transmediation”. Through analysing how the narrative of the source media object, the webcomic Heartstopper, was transmediated and changed into the version in the target source media object, the Heartstopper Netflix show, we can see how various romance genre conventions have shifted and remained consistent. Due to Oseman's strong presence within both versions of Heartstopper, it is easier to understand her contributions. In the second step, we see how the transmedial shifts were done in a way that increases the presence of the side characters within the narrative by utilising Thomas Leitch's adjustment strategies. By contextualising what changes and similarities between both versions of Heartstopper are present due to medium-specific necessity, the larger presence of side characters in the Netflix show can be understood through the necessity of television storytelling. Even with medium-specific changes, we see how those changes work to take advantage of romance conventions, particular teen romance conventions, when expanding on the narrative. Genres are also understood by an audience through a perceived sense of expectations, meaning the ways in which a media object is marketed plays a large role in how it will be understood. As Heartstopper is a queer romance narrative, it is important to take into account how the teen romance tropes reflect on its existence as a queer story and how the Netflix show increases the presence of other side characters that also have queer identities. 6
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    So, where to (So-we-to) with audiences? An explorative inquiry into audience development strategies at Soweto Theatre in the period 2019-2023
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mogotsi, Ratanang; Mavhungu, Johanna
    Theatre does not exist without an audience; it is imperative that theatre’s find new and innovative strategies that will develop audiences as the sector continues to face a drop in theatre attendance. Through a qualitative inquiry and Soweto Theatre as the case study, this research explores audience development strategies implemented at Soweto Theatre between 2019 and 2023. This period saw the biggest decline in theatre audiences across the theatre sector in South Africa and abroad due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The findings reveal the necessity of organisational restructuring, improved internal and external communication among the staff, clear task allocation and role management, as well as strategic management alignment in order to improve its audience development strategies. Storytelling is introduced as one of the key concepts to audience development. Storytelling integrates more process-related content into marketing initiatives such as social media which allows for audiences to get a taste of what to expect and to be a part of the storytelling process. Soweto Theatre, symbolises a catalyst for cultural democracy, fostering social cohesion and community empowerment. This research report concludes that digital platforms such as social media can be used to disseminate information, for outreach, arts education and cultural inclusion. Furthermore, nurturing young talent, and forging sustainable partnerships is pivotal in democratising the arts and cultivating a more inclusive cultural space. Collaboration among arts organisations and youth development programs across various theatres can further enrich experiences and heighten opportunities for emerging artists, contributing to the growth of audiences in South Africa's dynamic creative and cultural industries.
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    Enabling Authentic Learning Experiences for Indigenous Knowledge Acquisition in a Digital Environment: A Case of Zulu Beading Practice
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Dlamini, Phiwokuhle; Bristow, Tegan
    The Zulu beading practice is a well-known example of an indigenous art form that has been passed down through generations in traditional communities for cultural continuity. Research shows that Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer is a fundamental component of the epistemological system (Iseke & DesMoulins, 2015, p. 31). Elders impart knowledge using indigenous pedagogies, which promotes understanding and learning about communities and their local knowledge. With the increasing globalisation and modernisation of societies, social relationships, and cultural knowledge have become increasingly scattered. The contemporary generation often lives behind indigenous learning practices and adapts to new ways of learning in digital environments (Newman & Hatton-Yoe, 2008, p. 31). Consequently, there is a risk of traditional knowledge such as knowledge about Zulu beadwork becoming extinct when the knowledgeable elders pass away. Therefore, this indigenous knowledge needs to be documented and stored in the present digital learning environment where it can be retrieved and shared across generations. This study, therefore, explores ideas for enabling authentic learning experiences and accessibility of indigenous knowledge in a digital environment, with a focus on the Zulu beading practice. Using the Zulu beading practice, as a case study, the research investigates a potential digital learning environment to enhance the learning experience of cultural knowledge. The researcher also explores the potential of embracing digital learning environments to promote the continuity of traditional knowledge. A qualitative research approach was followed to explore the documented experiences of teaching and learning Zulu beading in a digital environment. Furthermore, a literature review was employed as a research methodology to establish the existing traditional approaches followed to teach the artistry of Zulu beading to aspiring practitioners as well as the practices needed to teach Zulu beading knowledge and skills to these practitioners in the digital environment. The findings revealed that the Zulu beading artistry is tacit knowledge, which comprises the Techne, Phronesis, and Episteme as the three knowledge categories. To create an authentic learning experience, the three knowledge categories are taught holistically. Therefore, this study aims to use the research outcomes to suggest a learning management system that could help facilitate the authentic learning experience of learning Zulu beading knowledge and skills digitally. The process of enabling authentic learning experiences in a ii digital environment requires the inclusion of indigenous viewpoints from knowledgeable elders who are skilled beadwork practitioners, linguistic engagement, and the integration of professional digital practices for developing learning solutions.
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    A self-revelatory performance study on the use of storytelling with puppets to explore the experience of a daughter with an absent father
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Wites, Nontsikelelo
    This research aims to explore the use of puppetry in addressing the impact of an absent father on their daughter through self-revelatory performance. Self-revelatory performance is a hybrid of therapy and theater, where a performer draws on personal experiences or existing social issues in need of therapeutic exploration. I conducted eight workshops where I created puppets and used those puppets to explore through narration and performance to reflect on my experiences of how growing up without a father has impacted me. This research has highlighted rejection as the main impact of a father's absence on his daughter ‘s life, which leads to confidence and trust issues. Furthermore, the study argues that the use of puppetry within a therapeutic space functions similarly to psychodrama by aiding individuals in examining their unresolved present challenges. Moreover, it suggests that the exploration of symbols and metaphors through puppetry encourages individuals to thoroughly investigate, engage with, and express their emotions regarding the issues that led them to therapy, ultimately progressing toward healing. I hope this study helps to build knowledge, can be beneficial to scholars and professionals in the field of drama therapy, and may help shape therapeutic practices in this field.
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    The Awakening: Makudlalwe. A study on how play awakens the inner child in black Indigenous African adults
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Ncanana, Nomfundo Innocentia
    Our inner child speaks to the stories of ourselves that we carry around either knowingly or unknowingly. These stories may come in many forms and this research aimed to awaken these early experiences through the method of play. Neuro-dramatic play is a frame of play in Drama Therapy that was used to frame the activity choices. The method of guided play was used as a container to carry out the neuro-dramatic play techniques. These methods also set a frame for understanding how the inner child can be awakened. A way to activate these memories is through using our bodies as a vessel that allows the flow of experience to take place. This is why play is an important element of this research as it assists us in traveling to and navigating that space in time, using our bodies. The colonized African child growing up under post-colonial times may have the experience and memory of being deprived of play due to colonial factors that include Apartheid, land displacement, and but not limited to slave labour. These colonial factors were introduced to hinder the black mind from remembering and consciously being aware of who they are. The system continues to serve those who are oppressors as play factors have not been clearly defined in the African context. This study investigates how the use of play in the context of Drama Therapy, can be used to awaken the inner child of the black Indigenous African adult.
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    Composition and Decomposition: On Thornton Dial’s Aesthetics
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Siyothula, Nomalanga; Andrew, David
    In this study I explore how Composition and Decomposition: On Thornton Dial’s Aesthetics can be theorised and understood within black studies but based on three selected assemblages in his art practice. The study will engage in three forms of Dial’s aesthetics: The aesthetics of the black social life, the aesthetics of ruins and disposability and the aesthetics of revitalisation and care. It is in this form that Dial’s work will be meditated upon. It will do so by centering Composition and Decomposition as the analytical tools. It is a study that will engage in the protocols of black aesthetics, making and unmaking for there to be generativity. So, for this to come into being it is important to understand Dial as a figure in order to arrive at new ways of decolonising black aesthetics.