Ethnography, Theatre, and Social Change

Örecomm seminar 9-11 November 2012
Ethnography, Theatre, and Social Change
Re-Generation@Malmö

This 3-day seminar focuses on the intersection of ethnography and theatre as a way to create positive social transformation. We will explore this main theme from both a theoretical and a practical perspective by asking and discussing these questions:

• How do we write and re-present ethnographic material to vividly convey the textures of life, to tell stories, and to represent voices?
• How do we use the imagination and experiment with “blurred genres” to represent people’s lives?
• What stories need to be told, and how can audiences be engaged?
• What are the possibilities and responsibilities for ethnographers as public scholars?

This is a Re-Generation Initiative Project at Malmö University, Sweden in partnership with Örecomm – Centre for Communication and Glocal Change.

• When: 9–11 November 2012, starting 9 November, 10.00 (GMT 9 AM), ending with a performance on 11 November, 16–18.30 (GMT 3–5.30 PM).
• Where: Black Box, Malmö University, find your way to the Black Box here.
• Registration: Please register here. There will be coffee and refreshments at the seminar.

Key speakers:

Debra Spitulnik Vidali, Founder and Academic Director, Re-Generation Initiative. Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta (USA).

Henry Scott, Co-Artistic Director, Re-Generation Theatre for Social Change. Lecturer, Department of Theatre, Performance Studies & Dance, Kennesaw State University, Atlanta (USA)

Oscar Hemer, Professor, Co-Director of Örecomm and Programme Coordinator of the Communication for Development Master at Malmö University (Sweden)

There will be academic lectures, one film screening, and an optional 4-part theatre workshop running parallel to the lectures. The theatre workshop will be used to build an original theatre piece using the stories, issues, data, and experiences of workshop participants. The theme of the theatre piece will focus on contemporary social and political issues (e.g. activism, apathy, social responsibility, political ideology) that are relevant to workshop participants. This original theatre piece will be performed on the final day. See the full workshop programme here.