In Forum Theatre with Mixed Company Theatre (MCT) there are no “acting skills” required to be part of the set. The process is based on a bottom-up, participatory approach focused on the participants’ experiences and perspectives. “The training is all about the facilitation too,” says Luciano (Luc) Iogna, a MCT facilitator working with the InterGEN project. “The hardest part for a facilitator is to remain neutral, but we have to maintain our neutrality for this process to work.”

After the performance, of a simple, yet complicated story about an elderly woman, named Lucille, who finds herself in a ominous situation at a public bus stop, the audience members will have the opportunity to respond: to change the script.

Simon will prepare both audience and participants by offering a simple direction: “As you are watching, look at what you can change.” And this is where the neutral facilitator comes in, as Luc points out: “It’s about engaging the different perspectives without shutting anyone down.”

In a forum theatre performance everyone has the opportunity to get into character. Simon prepared the seniors for the interventions by having them make connections to their roles: “It’s knowing who your character is and thinking about how your character would respond.” Through their carefully planned, and engaging, facilitation, Simon and Luc, will guide performers and audience members through a collective analysis of how people both react and respond to conflict. The interventions offered by participants can lead to greater opportunities for constructive and positive change—perhaps someone will speak up on behalf of the marginalized, perhaps the oppressor will be challenged, and perhaps the oppressor may be understood. Still, “you never really know where it’s going to go,” says Simon, “but that’s what this is all about… and it’s an incredible learning experience for everyone.”

Be part of the dialogue – Today at 2 pm, “C’mon Granny” will be performed by seniors in Toronto at Lambton House.

Christina Parker (OCT, Ph.D.), is an educator and researcher in Toronto and is our Volunteer Researcher for the Inter-Gen program.

The Mixed Company Theatre (MCT) workshop series, “Making Meaning from Memories” have brought together a group of seniors, who have found their voice while experimenting with forum theatre. The workshops are part of a new community arts project, InterGEN that reconnects youth and older adults in three Toronto communities. The seniors (ages 50-80) have clearly been participating in community building exercises – many of which have brought them out of their comfort zone. The activities prepare the seniors to become more comfortable using their body and speaking in front of the whole group.

One senior in her 70s described her experience in the program as something that she feels has changed how she thinks, as she said, “I go home and think about all the things we spoke about. The next morning I have all these ideas about things that I haven’t thought about before—like about diversity. I mean the things the kids have to deal with these days—I just never had to do that.”

In the final scene that the seniors rehearsed they chanted the chorus of a song, written by Luciano Iogna, an MCT facilitator who wrote the script based on experiences the seniors shared. They chanted repeatedly: “I get no respect.” Lines in between the chorus include moments that describe how disrespect manifests in their lives, such as people having no patience for them, nobody offering them a seat on public transit, or being made to feel invisible. The two MCT facilitators, Simon and Luc, encouraged the seniors to think about different ways people might respond to these experiences – something they will have the opportunity to play with through forum theatre. As facilitators, Simon and Luc, pointed out: the MCT approach to forum theatre encourages participants to critically reflect and analyse their experiences, while also seeking possibilities for empowerment and change.

The session ended with all of the seniors coming to a consensus on the title for their play: ‘C’mon Granny’ will be performed on Sunday March 1, 2015 at Lambton House in Toronto.

Christina Parker (OCT, Ph.D.), is an educator and researcher in Toronto and is our Volunteer Researcher for the Inter-Gen program.

Get Theatre-Active with Urban Arts and Mixed Company Theatre this March Break!

Learn how to create and perform a play about what it is like to be a teen in Toronto. MCT is looking for teens with and without theatre experiences, as well as singers, musicians, lyricists, dancers, and all around creative people to participate.

Sign up today, spaces are limited!

MARCH 16 – 20 2015 (1:00-5:00 PM)
UrbanArts – 5 Bartonville Avenue East
(Weston Rd. & Ray Ave.)
Toronto, M6M 2B1

To register contact UrbanArts:
Ify Chiwetelu, Arts Program Manager,
ify@urbanartstoronto.org
(416) 241-5124

Download the Urban Arts Workshop Flyer

In collaboration with Ryerson and Heritage York, 50+ @ Lambton House – Making Meanings of Memories will set out to explore
what we feel as we age – and then express our thoughts on how to enjoy life. In these six workshops led by MCT’s Simon Malbogat, participants will explore intergenerational challenges, experiences and stories and present it to the public on March 1st.

Workshops @ 2pm
February 10&12
February 17&19
February 24&26

Spaces are limited! For info & registration contact Joy, (416) 766-8679.

Download the flyer – 2015 HY Seniors with MCT-3