Surprise! No PowerPoint
OK everyone, put the chairs up against the wall, we won’t really need them for the rest of the day.’
The participants looked around at each other a little confused.
‘You can put your pens and paper away too.’
With a few mumbles, groans and raised eyebrows, people slowly stood up and put the chairs away.
The reluctance did not last long. Within 10 minutes the whole group was smiling, had forgotten all about chairs and was fully engaged albeit in a new and unfamiliar method.
Choosing a method for community development or engagement is key to the success of any project that genuinely wants to access a community’s concerns.
Enhancing the sense of touch and trust at Mowanjum Community
This is particularly true if the issues at hand are tough and emotionally charged. People want to talk about them honestly but they CAN’T. And our methods sometimes don’t help.
The theatre-based activities used in this recent workshop in WA’s northwest, quickly created a safe yet playful space which allowed ALL OF US, facilitators included, to participate fully and wholly. So that it was not just our intellects running the show, with the same old, sometimes useful, often tired lines and insights; but our emotions and our creativity had a big say too.
a scene depicting 'lack of communication' between agencies
And it was all playful - this not only gave the interaction greater depth it also made the human connection more authentic.
The response from the group reflected this: ‘Really enjoyed the laughs and the insight provided because everyone embraced the method…’
‘Great to have play instead of Power Point’ wrote one participant.
Another wrote ‘very innovative workshop…lots of fun and laughter…’
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