[Last modified: November, 27 2024 09:41 PM]
Using Forum Theatre as an ethnographic tool presents both opportunities and limitations. First, in scenario simulations, everyone in the forum can actively participate at any time, altering the outcome of the performance. This allows for the recreation of real-life situations, where participants and observers can share their feelings and reflections, helping to explore how different scenarios impact individuals.
Second, the diverse perspectives of participants enable a multi-angled analysis of issues. This broader range of viewpoints fosters deeper understanding and encourages innovative approaches to problem-solving.
Finally, when considering solutions, the group’s diversity—comprising individuals from different countries and cultural backgrounds—offers a wealth of alternative strategies. By experimenting with these diverse solutions, we can analyze which approaches are most effective.
However, this approach also has its limitations. One challenge is that the process can sometimes reach an impasse, where no suitable solutions emerge, resulting in stagnation. Not every scenario simulation leads to effective outcomes. For example, during a classroom exercise, we simulated a conflict between a customer and a barista. Several proposed solutions, such as having other customers pay for the order, seemed to resolve the immediate conflict. However, these resolutions were specific to the simulated scenario and unlikely to be broadly applicable in real-life situations, making it difficult to determine their overall effectiveness.
Another limitation is the need for participants to empathize with the roles they are portraying. For instance, if the research focuses on the relationship between doctors and patients, participants without a medical background may struggle to accurately represent or understand a doctor’s perspective. This raises concerns about whether the results and solutions derived from such simulations truly reflect real-world dynamics and are applicable to actual situations. Therefore, when considering this method for ethnographic research, it is important to assess the topic carefully and decide whether this approach aligns with the study’s objectives.
As an ethnographic research method, I believe Forum Theatre can be particularly useful in policy development and improvement. By involving local stakeholders or relevant professionals in the forum, it can generate more effective insights, feedback, and intervention strategies. Additionally, this approach encourages us to consider how the same issue can be understood and addressed differently across regions, cultures, social classes, and even individuals. It broadens our perspective and fosters a more comprehensive understanding of complex problems.