History, Theatre and Self

Abstract

Using the creation of a new piece of narrative drama with undergraduate students inspired by the meaning of ‘hero’, and the achievements of Sophia Duleep Singh and Paul Stephenson, this article will look at the intersections of history, theatre, and self. Delineating how ‘lost’ histories—when converged with present realities, can create future thinking for, and with, the artists of that future—it will touch on how creating brave spaces in which to approach such work is rooted in relationships, both interpersonal and intertextual. It will explain how looking at, learning from, and working with, Singh and Stephenson’s stories, allows for the creation of performance. In its creation, decoloniality, social justice and equality are foregrounded, providing the students with the advocacy and critical tools needed for change.