Abstract Book of the 9th World Conference on Social Sciences
Year: 2025
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Applied Theatre as a Form of Public Engagement
Paula Boihmane, Liga Paula
ABSTRACT:
Public participation and community engagement are essential preconditions for a democratic and sustainable society. Traditional forms of participation – elections, polls and public consultations – often exclude those groups that lack social and cultural capital to fully engage in public life. In this context, alternative participatory mechanisms based on co-creation and informal engagement become particularly relevant. Applied theatre is a practice combining artistic expression with public participation. The purpose of this methodology is to explore topics and issues relevant to the particular community thus giving voice to social groups that may not be heard otherwise. The applied theatre in Latvia was introduced during the centenary celebration of the country; however, in European countries it has already a rather long history. The aim of the research was to characterise applied theatre as a form of public engagement and to explore the main objectives of applied theatre projects in Latvia. The authors also analysed how was community participation manifested in these projects, and what elements and levels of engagement could be identified. In 2025, content analysis and expert interviews were conducted. The results showed that in Latvia applied theatre projects tended to be more like professional performances that did not allow communities fully influence the results. Public administration institutions were not aware of applied theatre as a form of public engagement, which could lead to a higher level of cooperation. Participation in these projects boosted social capital, united and strengthened communities, raised themes important to the local people, and provided an opportunity to be heard.
Keywords: Co-Creation; Community; Democracy; Participation; Social Inclusion