How Never Again Rwanda (NAR) uses Magnetic Theatre in Community Development
Never Again Rwanda
Peacebuilding & Social justice organization working with various peace actors to empower citizens for positive change
Imagine watching a play and being invited half-way through to create the ending or even join in as a character! This is magnetic theatre, so called because it draws audiences in like a magnet. So, what exactly is magnetic theatre? Unlike traditional theatre, magnetic theatre combines elements of performance art and immersive storytelling to create a truly unique and captivating experience. It blurs the boundaries between performers and audience members, creating an interactive and engaging environment that draws you in and keeps you hooked from start to finish.?
Magnetic theatre is a participatory community theatre which usually takes place outdoors in a public space and involves audience members with an aim to create behavioral change. It is an effective tool that has been employed by NGOs and Civil Society Organizations all over the world in fields such as Healthcare, Research dissemination and other areas where community upliftment and behavioral change is needed.???
Since 2015, NAR District Coordinators have worked with a group of actors from Gishamvu and another from Mukura Sector. Seeking an entertaining way to capture audiences’ attention while informing and educating, in 2021 NAR trained the two groups of young people from youth clubs in Magnetic Theatre and followed up with a refresher course the following year. They encourage discussion and collective problem-solving around issues affecting the community such as peacebuilding, governance, citizen participation, conflict management and gender-based violence.?
“We choose a topic, and the group prepares a play according to the topic. Halfway through their performance, they will pose a question to the audience and ask for advice, opinions or feedback to proceed,” said Prudencienne Kamabonwa, a NAR District Coordinator.?
The full performance usually has 2 stages, lasting about 15 minutes each. The first stage familiarizes the audience with the characters and the context and ends at a tension point or dilemma for the characters. During the second stage, the floor is open for discussion, suggestions and debates and the characters can move forward and address the proposed dilemma based on audience feedback and participation.??
Local leaders and community members are fully engaged. The performances are conducted during the weekly community-based consultation platforms “citizens’ assemblies” but can also happen on other occasions depending on the topic of the discussion and the target group such as marketplaces, churches and other gatherings.??
Magnetic theatre is not only entertaining and engaging but produces results. NAR worked with the magnetic theatre troupes during the Birandeba campaign in 2022, under our DKI program to increase citizen participation. The topic was ‘The Role of Citizens in District Planning and Budgeting’. The result was a marked increase in citizen participation in local decision-making processes this year as they better understood their roles and were encouraged to participate.?
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Although the troupes work with NAR on campaigns and community dialogues, they continuously work in their communities and have independent activities that they implement with the support of Never Again Rwanda.??
Magnetic theatre’s success in creating behavior change is also because it is conducted in a safe environment and members are encouraged to participate. It is different from other forms of community theatre because it targets and attracts a specific and repeat audience and usually takes place at a specific venue.?
The magnetic theatre method is designed to develop:?
Magnetic theatre is a powerful and transformative form of performance art and a truly unique experience. It challenges the traditional notions of theatre and opens up new possibilities for storytelling and creativity. It has the potential to revolutionize the way we experience live performance and is an exciting development in the world of theatre, and an effective tool in community development.?
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