Nurturing Inclusive and Diverse Communities Through Experiential Learning

‘Nurturing Inclusive and Diverse Communities Through Experiential Learning’

A workshop in collaboration with Dubai-based theatre practitioner Audrey Jegu

Going beyond theoretical discussions, the workshop aimed to directly engage participants in their daily realities, utilizing process drama and Theatre of the Oppressed techniques. Through immersive, game-based activities, participants, aged 16 and above, actively explored different perspectives and societal norms. The workshop fostered a safe space for open communication and reflection, emphasizing empathy, critical thinking, and community building. Participants left equipped with the tools to actively contribute to the cultivation of a more inclusive and diverse society. The event stands as a powerful exploration of the intersection between experiential learning and artistic expression in fostering a tolerant and equitable community.

Dare to cross the line

Dare to Cross the Line: Workshop-Performance with Smita Urmila Rajmane at Alserkal Arts Foundation, Dubai, was a transformative event that delved into the exploration of social hierarchies manifest in our everyday realities.

The participatory workshop-performance aimed to create an immersive and experiential environment where participants could engage with and reflect upon issues of oppression and power dynamics. Actively involving people in games and roles, the workshop sought to provide a deeper understanding of these concepts through personal experience rather than relying solely on theoretical discussions.

The attempt was to comprehend how the human mentality functions within the system once participants became members of it. People responded to each other accordingly when they were in the process, instinctively mimicking their true selves. This procedure was referred to as a ‘Truth Drug,’ inspired by the famous playwright Vijay Tendulkar’s idea of violence. When participants were in the role, they instinctively mirrored their true selves. Once out of the role, they considered their actions and related them to the environment in which privilege and power were discussed.

By encouraging participants to reflect on their experiences within the workshop, both during and after their involvement in the games, the intention was to follow a reflective process that allowed individuals to consider their actions and roles within the context of the systems that perpetuate oppression and hierarchical structures.