The Rebellious Mirror,Before and after 1984:Community-based theatre in Aotearoa (2010)

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Type of Content
Theses / DissertationsThesis Discipline
DramaDegree Name
Doctor of PhilosophyPublisher
University of Canterbury. Theatre and Film StudiesCollections
Abstract
In this thesis I outline the contribution Community-based theatre has made to New Zealand theatre. This involves a defining of theatre production as a material practice. Community-based theatre was a tendency from the 1930s, a promise of the left theatre movement and, I argue, was being searched for as a form of practice by the avant-garde, experimental practitioners of the 1970s. At the same time, early Māori theatre began as a Community-based practice before moving into the mainstream. With the arrival of neo-liberalism to Aotearoa in 1984, community groups and Community-based theatre could become official providers within the political system. This led to a flowering of practices, which I describe, together with the tensions that arise from being a part of that system. However, neo-liberalism introduced managerial practices into state contracting and patronage policy, which effectively denied this flowering the sustenance deserved. At the same time, these policies commodified mainstream theatre production. In conclusion, I argue that in the current situation of global crisis, Community-based theatre practice has a continuing role to play in giving voice to the multitude and by being a practice of the Common.
Keywords
community theatre; Community-based theatre; New Zealand theatre history; Maori Theatre history; Amamus; Theatre Action; Town and Country Players; Te Ika a Maui; Maranga Mai; Taki Rua; Theatre of the Eighth Day; Community Arts; Popular Theatre; Neo-liberalism; Creative Industries; Te Rakau Hua O Te Wao Tapu; Pou Mahi a Iwi-Cultural Work Centre; Tokelau Theatre; Massive Theatre Company; A Different Light; Talking House; The Travelling Tuatara; Eko; Queen Elizabeth 11 Arts Council of NZ; Creative NZ; arts funding policy; Jerzy Grotowsk; Augusto Boal; Jim Moriarty; Paul Maunder; Brian Potiki; Jill Walker; Rowley Habib; Sam Scott; Tony McCaffrey; Elizabeth O'Connor; Simon O'Connor; David O'Donnell; Heather Timms; Justine Simei-Barton; Clare Adams; NCEA drama; postmarxism; Murray Edmond; Peter Falkenberg; Free TheatreRights
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