Educational theatre
| Keywords | Knowledge Emotion Communication Participation Practical Application Research Cultural Heritage Intergenerational Intercultural Bread |
| Target Group | Civil Society Women Men Children Pupils Students Families Well Educated People Migrants People With Special Needs People With Low Education Roma People |
| Type of Action | Public Event Theatre Art |
| Research | Cultural And Religious Festivities Traditions, Welcome Tradition Proverbs, Poems, Literature |
| Location | Educational Centre Adult Education House Social Centre Senior Meeting Point Pensioners Club School University Municipality House |
| Pedagogical Aims | Information Communication Cooperation Practical Application Research |
| Use of Media | Computer Internet |
| Dissemination | Press Internet |
| Geographical Scope | Local |
| Type of Method | Information-Orientated |
| Knowledge Transfer | Creative Skills |
| Area of work | Cultural Event |
| Location or Venue | Babobo, Bulgaria |
| Number of Participants | 100 |
Duration
| From | Until |
| 28/04/2018 | 28/04/2018 |
Short Description
The term educational theatre refers to the addition and expansion of entertainment-oriented objectives and influencing potential of an ordinary theatre with educational objectives aimed at both the participating actors (children, students, and adults) and the audience observing the performance.
The educational theatre is an interactive method for teaching and learning which involves experience-based learning and learning by doing.
Full Description
The main objectives of the educational theatre are:
• Acquisition of new knowledge needed in the educational process and for the socialization of each learner;
• Development of study, social and communicative skills;
• Development of European self-awareness and embracing public values as for example tolerance and acceptance of others;
• Formation of a mindset which allows the learners to analyze their own behavior and enables motivation and the modelling of effective behavioral strategies aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of the region, the traditions of multicultural communication, as well as the overcoming of prejudices and stereotypes.
An example for a good practice:
Actors from the Union of Pensioners, High School St. Paisiy Hlendarski of Slivo Pole, Secondary school St. St. Cyril and Methodius of Ryahovo, Secondary school Ivan Vazov of Golyamo Vranovo, the Community Center N. Y. Vaptsarov – 1927 of Babovo, Slivo Pole Municipality, organized an educational theatre themed Easter traditions and performed two sketches:
• Making a gift of ‘kozunak’ (special Easter bread)
• Selection of the best dyed Easter egg (known as ‘borak’)
The creation of an educational theatre in a community is a process which develops identity, values, beliefs and attitude that determine the place and role of anindividual in the society he or she lives in.
The educational theatre in Slivo Pole municipality was used as a method to achieve the following objectives:
• Deepening people’s knowledge of the regional and European intangible cultural heritage such as Easter traditions.
• Stimulating the the participants’ interest in Easter traditions.
• Developing European self-awareness.
• Developing skills aimed at performing and preserving the local Easter traditions as an integral part of European culture.
Easter traditions are rich in activities and symbols which effectively perform educational, social, and religious functions. They must be preserved either in their authentic form or modified in the course of time following the changes in the lifestyle of the respective community, nation or region.
Step-by-step explanation
Step 1
Specifying the educational objectives
Formulating the need for specific new knowledge, the objectives, tasks, topic, and activities; taking into consideration the existing mindset and the expectations of the audience.
Step 2
Deciding on the who, what and where
Who – characters, relationships, previous history, views and values, actors.
What – scenario, contents, relation to the educational objectives.
Where – the location of the action and the relationship between the place, characters and traditions.
Step 3
Rehearsals
Studying the script. Making amendments if needed.
Step 4
Organizing the performance
Fixing a date and time, choosing a venue, preparing the set, inviting a photographer to document the event, informing the media and the public.
Step 5
Conducting the performance
According to the local tradition, a kozunak (special Easter bread) and a basket of dyed eggs are the main items of the celebration. Children visit their neighbours to greet each other and exchange kozunak. According to one of the most popular Easter (Velikden) traditions in Bulgaria, children do egg tapping – they try to break their opponent’s egg by tapping it with their own egg. Nowadays it is also done by adults. The person whose egg remains unbroken is proclaimed the winner and his or her egg is called ‘borak’. The winning egg is kept until next Easter and is considered to be a sign of good luck.
Step 6
Discussion after the performance
Discussing whether the performance has achieved its objectives, the need for amendments and the opportunities for additional performances.
Results
Results: scenario, performance, achieved educational objectives, satisfaction, new knowledge, change of mindset and attitude towards national customs and traditions.
Gallery, media releases
Variation of the approach
Can be applied with a different audience or using a different scenario depending on public and educational needs and purposes.
Partner Organistions
| Name | Homepage | Logo |
| University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”, Ruse | https://www.uni-ruse.bg/en |  |
| High School “St. Paisiy Hlendarski”, Slivo Pole | ||
| Secondary school “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, Ryahovo | ||
| Secondary school “Ivan Vazov”, Golyamo Vranovo | ||
| Community Center “N. Y. Vaptsarov - 1927”, Babovo | ||
| Slivo Pole Municipality |
Responsbile Organistion
| Name | Homepage | Logo |
| Union of Pensioners |
Products and Materials
| Project Description | Description |
| Documentation of the Project/Event | |
| Post Cards | |
| Poster | |
| Press Release | |
| Photo Gallery | |
| Video | |
| Blog | |
| Decoration: Flags/Bookmarks | |
| Information about the Danube Countries |