Can Theater Involving People with Disabilities Contribute to Inclusive Society?
Inclusive theatre includes people with disabilities. It is the most common type of social theater in Russia and aims to integrate people with disabilities through cultural practices, as well as to draw attention to the problem of equal opportunities.The purpose of this empirical study is to assess the inclusive potential of social theater through the study of the experience of its participants.
The following inclusion markers relevant for the individual were identified: recognition of the individual by society, expansion of the individual's social capital and repertoire of practices, feelings of support from the community, changes self-perception through awareness of expanded personal capabilities etc. Generally 17 interviews were conducted with participants from various social theaters in Russia, including participants with acquired or congenital disabilities and without health features (professional actors and directors). Then a thematic analysis of the data was carried out.
Three types of inclusive theaters were identified: professional, where professional actors participate on an equal basis with people with disabilities; participatory, where only people with disabilities take part, creating performances under the guidance of a theater specialist; and rehabilitation, where only people with disabilities are involved with the purpose of rehabilitation.
The study shows that the professional inclusive theater has the greatest inclusive potential, since it implements practices that stimulate changes at three levels - the macro level (changes in the social environment due to representation of the social problem in the public space through theatrical activities), the meso level (articulation of problems through the practices of spectator experience) and micro level (change in self-perception of people with disabilities).
Speakers:
Varvara Derezovskaya, graduate of the bachelor's degree program ‘Sociology’ HSE, academic advisor Elizaveta Polukhina, Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology, Senior Research Fellow at the International Laboratory for Social Integration Research, HSE.
Discussants:
Nikita Bolshakov, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Sociology, Junior Research Fellow at the International Laboratory for Social Integration Research, HSE
Olga Verbilovich, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Media, Junior Research Fellow at the International Laboratory for Social Integration Research, HSE
When: July 6th, 16p.m. (Moscow time)
Language: Russian
Link to the conference in MS Teams: https://teams.live.com/meet/94654659013432
Nikita Bolshakov
Junior Research Fellow
Volha Verbilovich
Junior Research Fellow