Reflecting from the Middle: Ethics within an Interactive Theatre Project Working for Social Equity

Abstract:This article reflects on a pilot project that incorporates interactive theatre into the Black Equity in Alberta Rainforest (BEAR) initiative. The BEAR is an interdisciplinary action research project spearheaded by Ribbon Rouge Foundation in partnership with several researchers and graduate fellows to develop critical knowledge about the effects of anti-Black racism on health equity. A key methodology within the BEAR is the use of arts to engage community and foster social dialogue around African, Caribbean, and Black Albertans' lived experiences. The BEAR uses ArtSpaces to engage in events designed for community conversations with those who are often more marginalized in Alberta. To start this long-term program, we created a pilot theatre project, aimed at building a team of animators to foster community dialogue via interactive theatre. We focus on ethics in practice to consider what questions we should be asking ourselves at the start of, during, and after this collaborative project as we try to bridge the gap between intellectual understanding and practice. In doing so, we locate ourselves as artists who question our processes as we go. We argue that we learn about ethical relationships by doing our work.