This document describes the methodology used by
the Magnet Theatre Intervention developed by PATH
to bring about behaviour change in communities.
PATH has used Magnet Theatre to encourage community
dialogue around HIV and AIDS, consequences of early
marriage, and TB prevention and treatment. PATH
has trained theatre troupes throughout Kenya in
the Magnet Theatre process and HIV and AIDS technical
content. FHI’s IMPACT and Transport Corridor Initiative
Projects, CARE, the Red Cross, PATH’s Scouting for
Solutions project, and Kenya’s National Youth Service
have all received training from PATH in Magnet Theatre.
Staff from PATH’s Kenya office have also facilitated
Magnet Theatre training workshops in Eritrea, Uganda,
and India.
Excerpts from the document
“PATH’s Magnet Theatre intervention is designed
to not only entertain and educate, but to involve
audience members in the action and encourage the
kind of participation and reflection that is key
to sustained behavior change. Magnet Theatre is
a form of community theatre that typically takes
place in outdoor, public spaces. The hour-long performances
explore issues affecting a community and encourage
discussion and problem solving with audience members.
The actors perform a drama that presents a dilemma
based on community issues. The audience participates
by offering suggestions to the characters or by
taking the place of an actor and acting out solutions
to the dilemma. Magnet Theatre encourages audience
members to discuss solutions and allows them to
experiment in a safe environment, to encourage individual
and community-wide change. Magnet Theatre is different
from other forms of community theatre because it
targets and attracts a specific and repeat audience,
takes place at a regular time at a specific venue,
and serves as a forum for magnification of behavior
change.”
”PATH’s Magnet Theatre has the following unique
steps to ensure its effectiveness:
- The troupe identifies a problem in the community
(through an open discussion with the audience,
observation, or questions asked during performances),
develops a relevant script and rehearses the drama;
- The troupe attracts the audience to the performance
site;
- The performance is enacted and frozen at a key
dramatic moment;
- Audience members actively participate by either:
asking the character questions to better understand
the dilemma, suggesting what the character should
do, or physically taking the place of an actor
and acting out the decision;
- An open discussion follows where solutions and
suggestions continue to be explored. Audience
members have the opportunity to share their views
and experiences related to the issue being discussed;
- After the performance a guest speaker, performer,
or person who has changed behavior can present
to the audience;
- A post-performance discussion with a few audience
members, the facilitator, and troupe members takes
place. Future performance topics are identified
based on participants’ questions and comments
and;
- Theatre troupe members identify and support
magnification candidates and people considering
behavior change.”
