For ease of downloading, this manual is divided into four separate PDF files:
Introduction and Section 1 (PDF, 118 KB). The introduction discusses briefly why theater is important for peer education for youth and explains how to use the manual. Section 1 discusses the theoretical framework and other issues regarding the purpose of theater in peer education. It introduces the building blocks of a peer theater program, concentrating on improvisational theater techniques.
Section 2 (PDF, 436 KB). This is the heart of the manual, containing four training workshops:
- Workshop 1. Zip to Script: Creating Material Out of Improvisation
- Workshop 2. Creating Backstories
- Workshop 3. Marrying the Message with the Audience
- Workshop 4. Can We Talk? Effective Post-performance Discussion
Sections 3 and 4 (PDF, 160 KB). Section 3 contains short descriptions of theater games and exercises, divided by trust-building, ensemble-building, observation and movement, improvisation, and emotional availability. Section 4 provides information for advanced peer theater programs, including how to form and build a theater company.
Annexes (PDF, 200 KB). These include a glossary of theater and peer education terms; some guidelines on understanding the early, middle, and late adolescence stages so that approaches are developmentally appropriate; sources for this manual; and an annotated list of peer education resources.
This theater manual is part of an expanded Youth Peer Education Toolkit sponsored by the Youth Peer Education Network (Y-PEER) project. The toolkit also includes the following publications:
Unfortunately, we are out of hard copies for the Theatre-Based Techniques Manual, the Standards for Peer Education Programmes, and the Training of Trainers Manual, and there are no plans for reprinting at this time.
