ACHRH has been successful in winning a Victorian Government grant. From 2021 to 2024, we will use theatre as a means of identifying community leaders who would like to represent stories of successfully helping the community in seeking help very early for family issues and related mental health issues.
We are building on ACHRH’s previous work with the community using theatre NATAK VIHAR (see Australasian Centre for Human Rights and Health – Natak Vihar (achrh.org)
In this community participatory theatre (CPT), community volunteer actors will act out scenarios to concretize the images of what are nebulous and abstract concepts. Theatre will explore our community’s understanding of what does help seeking involve, where to go for help, how to navigate the system, why early help seeking is better than delaying it. Theatre will explore how we can maximise family relations, how family can impact mental health and enhance resilience.
Theatre will also help to recognise laws around family violence and dowry abuse. The aim will be to enhance community understanding of family violence and culturally acceptable ideas that promote and disseminate positive solutions to early intervention and prevention of family violence.
Additionally, Sneh is community participatory theatre, meaning the audiences are not mere passive observers of skits being played on the Stage. They actively participate by commenting via a mediator, critically analyzing the presentation and the underlying driving forces of various situations in a culturally safe and positive manner. Active learning accelerates learning.
Theatre is fun, it is an innovative approach, and it helps to move hearts and minds of participants.
Theatre is fantasy, it is imagination, yet it is real !
Sneh Theatre utilises cultural strengths to find culturally responsive solutions.
Steps of the theatre are
- Theatre Workshops – train to become an actor
- Eight theatre performances for the South Asian community across Greater Melbourne (2022-2024)
If you are interested in joining this exciting, fun, innovative project, please write to snehtheatre@gmail.com
