theatrebased

Theatrebased is an adjective used to describe programs, curricula, or research methods that are grounded in theatre practices and production processes rather than only in theatre's final performance form. It emphasizes collaborative creation, performative inquiry, and dramaturgical reflection, with performance acting as both method and outcome.

The term is used across education, community development, healthcare, and social research. It draws on traditions from drama education, applied theatre, and theatre for social change, and is related to but distinct from theatre-based education and drama therapy. In practice, theatrebased approaches often foreground process, co-creation, and audience or community participation.

Applications include classroom learning where students devise performances to explore scientific or historical topics; therapeutic or psychosocial contexts where drama is used to build communication and coping skills; and community projects that address local issues through participatory performances. In research, theatrebased methods such as devised theatre, performance ethnography, or forum theatre are used to generate insights and collect experiential data.

Typical methods involve workshops, ensemble work, improvisation, script development, and public showcases, with emphasis on accessibility, ethical engagement, and cultural resonance. Techniques may include audience feedback, iterative rehearsals, and reflective practice to link performance with learning or social outcomes.

Critiques note that theatrebased work requires skilled facilitators, substantial time and resources, and careful attention to representation, consent, and power dynamics. When well designed, it can foster empathy, critical thinking, and community capacity.