Community theatre media as a means of human rights education : a case study of Makhampom theatre group in Thailand

Abstract

The application of theatre media for social change and development is a common activity in the developing societies of Asia and Africa since the last century. Compared to traditional classic theatre, community theatres are different because they are rather political in their views and ideology. Contemporary Thai theatre NGO Makhampom Theatre Group has been working on development for the last 30 years, stating they are a Theatre for Development (TfD). This thesis explores the possibilities and limitation of providing Human Rights Education and social reformation through the community theatre process. For the study, one of the Youth Theatre projects of Makhampom, named Dao Loog Gai, in Pitsanulok province has been studied as a case study. This Thesis argues that the development theatre implemented by the Makhampom Theatre Group develops community culture but it has not developed a rights based approach to participation and thus empowerment. In this context Makhampom Theatre Group as conveyer of Human Rights Education is not as strong as it could be, and their potential for being an agent for social change or reformation has been compromised. From the in-depth interviews of a total number of thirty five subjects in Bangkok, Pitsanulok city and three villages of sub-district Nongkatao, Nakhornthai district in Pitsanulok province, this study finds that the Makhampom Theatre Group develops their own methodology according to culture and practice rather than follow participatory empowerment texts or tools from the development field, or from TfD texts. Finally this thesis concludes with some suggestions for the theatre process of Dao Loog Gai, i.e. Makhampom Theatre Group for updating practices and developing a more interactive relationship with the communities and audience.