The Act, Reflect & Transform (A.R.T.) Method
​Our A.R.T. method is a creative and innovative teaching and learning strategy;
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1) Encourages participants to use their imagination to Act/improvise on a stimulus word or prompt.
2) Promotes Metacognition time to Reflect on creation/discussion,
3) Improves decision-making skills to Transform /develop/change the story or direction of the piece.
A.R.T uses Forum Theatre
​​Forum theatre provides a very powerful tool for learning and changing behaviours, which is practiced in a fun and engaging way that facilitates the sharing of personal reflections and experiences.
Forum Theatre session
The Aim of Forum Theatre
Forum theatre aims to explore real practice scenarios in a way that empowers students to rehearse solutions and change the outcome of a scenario for the better. It is a form of interactive drama.
Augustus Boal (1985) has been mostly credited for the formation and development of forum theatre. The purpose was to use it as a way of exploring solutions to real-life dilemmas in a safe environment that stimulates action, discussion, and debate. It has been used successfully in many different places and formats around the world.
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The Process
Forum theatre is a wonderfully flexible method. In close consultation, we can produce discussions, role-plays, and a performance that resonates with the challenges faced by the student audience. Alternatively, we can work with the student audience to create and present their own forum theatre productions.
​Action
A scenario relating to a specific practice dilemma is enacted by actors. Subjects range from basic communication skills to breaking significant news and life scenarios or situation theatre.
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The rehearsed play will be presented in front of an audience who will journey with a selected protagonist who will face a variety of challenges.
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Discussions
After some facilitated discussion and/or group work about the key issues, the scenario is re-enacted. This time however the students can ‘stop' the action at any point to interject ideas. This will revise the course of the scenario to improve the outcome.
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Each change is explored by the group and the whole scenario is gradually dissected as it is re-run in this stop/start method.
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This play often provokes lively debate, as there are usually several different ways forward at each ‘stop' point which can be explored, leading towards a successful conclusion.
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During a session of Forum Theatre, many people will take to the stage and show many different possibilities. In this way, the event becomes a kind of theatrical debate, in which experiences and ideas are rehearsed and shared, generating both solidarity and a sense of empowerment.
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The A.R.T. method of acting, reflecting, and transforming (changing and considering alternative routes is effective in helping to improve confidence and well-being, increase levels of connectedness, inspire motivation and resilience, and develop pragmatic life skills.