Questioning collaborative devising in a post-truth era: Crafting theatre with youth

Abstract

ABSTRACT Devising often emphasizes nonhierarchical and collaborative modes of creating performance. As such, it holds promise for young people seeking to develop their agency as emergent artists. In 2016–17, Rachel Turner-King worked with The Belgrade’s Canley Youth Theatre (Coventry, UK) to explore their feelings about regional political issues, Brexit, the election of Donald Trump, and the rise of “fake news”. However, privileging democratic co-creation raises questions about the director’s role and responsibility in the creative process. Drawing on Richard Sennett’s discussion of craftsmanship, this paper focuses on the methods used to craft theatre with youth by considering the interconnections between an “ethics of care” and the artistic processes of dramaturgy.