The significance of role in HIV/Aids interventions: a case study of Interactive Themba Theatre Company (ITTC)

Abstract

Abstract The essence of this research was to interrogate the complex relationships that exist between facilitators and communities using the role technique. Communication between the facilitators and the spectators in the early days of applied drama and theatre has been described as a one way communication system that did not benefit communities. Scholars like Kerr (1991), Kidd (1991), Freire (1993), Desai (1991) and Boal (1985, 1992, 1995, 2006) have highlighted the challenges that occur in the communication process between facilitators and spectators in interventions. These scholars assert the need for a model that allows effective interactive participation of both parties in an intervention. The reason why I pursued this research was to find out what could be the best way of responding to HIV/Aids using applied drama and theatre. O’Neill (1995) points outs that role is central to any theatre. It was against this background that this research sought to investigate the significance of role as a potent technique in addressing the facilitators and community relationship in HIV/Aids interventions. This research was guided by role theory as the primary framework for the study. Scholars such as Moreno (1960, 1961), Landy (1982, 1993), Courtney (1974), O’Toole (1992), Jennings (1994), Goffman (1959), Taylor (2003), Boal (1985, 1992, 1985, 2006) and Jones (1996) among many scholars, enabled me to understand how role operates in applied drama and theatre. Much of human behaviour in interpersonal interactions is governed by our assumptions about our own role, other people’s roles, and the way we perceive these roles. It is therefore natural that when we want to conduct HIV/Aids intervention, which pertain to interpersonal behaviour, we turn to role as a potent technique. The role technique gives room for the interaction of the self and the other, a suitable framework that could address the complex facilitators and community relationship. Role is inclusive and this is important in addressing the complex relationship and also ensuring the participants benefit from the interventions. This research investigated the application of role and its effectiveness in HIV/Aids interventions using Interactive Themba Theatre Company (ITTC) as a case study. ITTC’s interactive live drama performances promote dialogue and influence behaviour among v people to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids. The organization provides knowledge and skills to help people in delaying their first sexual encounter, engage in safer sex, or abstain altogether. ITTC uses an approach that revolves around role and I investigated how this has been handled and what effect it has on spectators regarding HIV/Aids related issues. The emphasis was on how role enables participants to confront challenges of denial, stigmatization and discrimination, cultural influences, care and support and peer pressure.