Using Applied Theatre as a Tool to Address Netizenship

Abstract

This paper charts the ways in which a researcher uses applied theatre practice as a tool to address netizenship issues in the advancement of digital age by documenting a workshop he co-facilitated with graduate students at the University of Porto during the Future Places conference in 2013. The workshop used applied theatre both to catalyze intellectual discussion on netizenship and to create creative performance that embodied the concepts discussed. Applied Theatre approach is used to exploring issues of netizenship because, similar to social media, it blurs the lines between performer and audience. The results and analysis of the workshop demonstrate that applied theatre was a successful tool to address netizenship issues.