Theatre and Development

This paper discusses the conflict in northern Uganda. It particularly looks at the role of ‘theatre for development’ (TFD) - a concept aimed at using music, dance and drama as a means of passing on social messages and generating new ideas.

The authors argue that although people have long since recognised the power of theatre, its use in more serious situations has constantly been questioned. Like anything else, if made proper use of, TFD has the potential to help a lot of people.

Key conclusions and recommendations include:

• in a theatrical sense, so much can be done by outsiders if nothing else, to spread awareness on the humanitarian crisis that is going on in the area
  
• plays about northern Uganda need to be written so that others in America, Europe and India can get a glimpse of a war that has become in so many ways ‘invisible’
  
• these ideas are appropriate not only to TFD, but also a broader concept of development - a strong foundation of the issue at hand, an open mind, and a certain belief in ones role as an outsider are necessary if any credible development work is to be done
  
• what is needed is an integrated approach which is unfortunately what seems to be missing in many parts of northern Uganda - TFD is by no means the answer but it is definitely one of them.