Drama for Democracy: Material Theatre

Abstract

The paper discusses the importance of drama in establishing the principles of democracy in the classroom. It introduces Material Theatre as a form of theatre in education that celebrates materials—both natural and constructed—and the idea of democracy in the performance space. By way of a close look at the rationale behind Material Theatre and the ways in which it comes to be, it raises questions about the gaps that exist in the educational space under the traditional school system, and even in some of the progressive schools in India. It queries the negative attitudes that we hold against some forms of sensorial engagement while upholding others. By way of a case study, it enters a classroom which has introduced Material Theatre as a part of its curricular transactions, and documents the events that follow. It suggests that the introduction of Material Theatre in the classroom opens up possibilities of challenging the power structures in the classroom and engaging deeply with the universal ideas that sustain democracy.