An Expression of Civilization: Theater and Immigration Laws

Previously, I wrote about theater helping the community, reaching towards convicted and at-risk youths. This week I continue to discuss how theater continues to deal with community issues, specifically illegal immigration. Living in California, illegal immigration has become a very prominent issue. I can honestly say I cannot drive ten miles without seeing someone on the side of the road trying to peddle something or get a job. As sad as that may be, the number of illegal immigrants entering the United States are astounding. According to The American Resistance, "In a letter dated February 2004, no less an authority than Arizona Senator John McCain recognized that Border Patrol apprehension figures demonstrated that 'almost four million people crossed our borders illegally 2002'– experts on the subject agree that illegal crossings have only increased since then." The website continues to say that there are approximately 15 to 20 million illegal immigrants in the country, but it could be much higher. While researching this topic, I came across a blog which addresses this. In Immigration Drama: SoCal Day Laborers to Have Their Own Theater Troupe, Mike Boehm, a writer for the Los Angeles Times, explained how the Cornerstone Theater Company wrote and performed a production called "Los Illegals"--a show performed by illegal immigrants who shared their personal stories, some of which were in Spanish. I have personally seen a show similar to this at the University of Southern California and I found this to be an extremely important, thoughtful and moving piece of theater. When researching, I also came across a very similar story written by Fim Kennedy, a playwright and writer for a British theater blog. Can Theater Change Immigration Law? begins by describing the story of a man named Benjamin and his heartbreaking story of how he found himself a refugee in a British immigration removal center. Then she explains that she was writing a play about refugees and asylum seekers. This blog begins to question if theater can really change society and influence peoples actions. I found it particularly interesting because that topic has recently been on my mind. I am currently in the rehearsal process for a show entitled Our Country's Good, which discusses theater and its social influences. Below are the comments I left on each of the blogs, as well as their links.


Immigration Drama: SoCal Day Laborers to Have Own Theater Troupe

Comment:
Thank you very much for writing about such an important topic. Illegal immigration has definitely become a problem in this country, especially in the state of California. I am glad that there are people who believe that theater can, and does, have an influence in everyday life. I find it interesting, however, that the goal of this theater troupe is "a sustainable, independent theater troupe by and for day laborers and domestic workers," with a mandate to dramatize their lives and immigration issues at "work sites, street corners, protests, churches, community centers and union meetings throughout Southern California." I wonder if that goal has been and/or continues to be achieved. Also, I am interested that their goal does not include something to do with helping these day laborers. It would seem that this play would have an effect on them in one way or another but shouldn’t a group that is using these personal stories have the welfare of the people at the forefront of their goal? And with having these “nonthespians” (as they call them) performing, taking their time to help and give their stories instead of getting work, do they get paid with that $100,000 grant they were given? And what have they been doing since this production over a year ago? The Cornerstone Theater Company continues to do plays that interact with various people but it does not seem as though they have started another play that will involve these immigrants and their stories. I do hope this is something they continue, as I believe it is extremely important to hear their side of the story. It is a heartbreaking one--the world would benefit to hear some of these stories.


Can Theater Change Immigration Law?

Comment:
First, I would like to thank you for writing such an interesting and informative blog. It is so heart wrenching to hear stories like this one, knowing there is not much we can do—yet. I would first like to ask how you stumbled upon Benjamin? As you said, you were doing research for your play, but that still must be difficult to find people if they are being held in an Immigration Removal Center. It is unbelievable how much like a movie this all sounds—a prisoner’s word against the guards, “forgetting” important documents. I find it hard to believe people can be that cruel, even to people who may be illegal. I would like to find out about how the production of your show actually went. Did it have enough publicity to get it out there? To make politicians and lawmakers notice? I find it hard enough to get “everyday” people to the theater, let alone politicians. How would you go about getting politicians and lawmakers to notice and become interested in such a story? Since you wrote, “A well-connected theatre company may be able to achieve the first…” I would assume you have an idea. I absolute love the quote that John McGrath said, “the theatre can never 'cause' a social change. It can articulate pressure towards one ... it can be the way people find their voice, their solidarity and their collective determination.” I find that is the question of theater—can theater change society? If it can, how so? In the play Our Country’s Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker, one of the characters says, “The theatre is an expression of civilization…for a few hours we will not be despised prisoners and hated gaolers. We will laugh, we may be moved, we may even think a little. Can you suggest something else that will provide such an evening?” I truly hope that theater can change society and how we live in it. Please keep us informed if this continues in any way.

Arts Education: How To End After School Crimes

Crime is one of the most problematic conditions of society today. Many of these crimes are committed by those less than eighteen years of age. According to the Juvenile Crime Statistics, approximately thirty percent of minors in America were arrested in 2002. Many of these crimes have found to be committed almost immediately after school was let out. Even though these minors may be enrolled in school and are receiving decent education, wouldn't this percentage dramatically drop if they were involved in after-school extracurricular activities?

Besides sports, one of the most well known after-school activities is Drama Class. Many think of this class as an easy class; however, theater and arts education may be one of the most productive ways of keeping minors safe and out of trouble. Frank Hosdoll, a Chairman for the National Endowment for the Arts, once said "Serious arts education will help them--to understand civilization... to develop creativity, to learn the tools of communication...and to make wiser choices among the products of the arts." Arts education can help prepare the next generation for the future as well. By watching and being involved in visual and performing arts, people may learn how to manage their lives better. From time management to articulate communication skills and even problem solving with new ways of thinking, arts education is a foundation often forgotten. This is why arts education would benefit minors, especially those who are considered to be "at risk."

These "at risk" youths now have a place to go for help, The Geese Theatre Company. Located in Birmingham, England, they have opened their doors to the Criminal Justice system to help youths who are in prison, on probation, or those who have mental health issues. By using arts education to stimulate self-awareness, they are able to "consider the connections between personal behavior, choice and responsibility and broader social, economic and political factors." They encourage their students to look into their behaviors to help them become better citizens in their community. They may then be able to teach others how to do the same. Their approach to this is quite simple.

By choosing fictitious stories, the students and instructors delve into various situations and behaviors. They discuss alternatives to these actions in a discussion and debate setting, then "rehearse" these choices for future reference. Another approach they use involves using theater masks (see photo on right). These masks allow the students to understand they can still express what they feel without having to show the world their insecurities. By using this technique, the students understand that everyone wears a mask of some sort, "some habitually, some self-consciously." The masks allow the students to look into their destructive and coping mechanisms, and how those strategies can be changed.

In a movement course last year, my class and I were to use similar masks during many of our exercises. Even though we were using the masks to learn about our bodies and how movement and body positions can express many types of emotion, it is understandable how mask work is an important part of this rehabilitation process. Each of us learned not only what our body looks like and expresses on an everyday basis, we were taught how to change and improve upon it. This is why the Geese Theatre Company's approach to helping these youths is so innovative and interesting. One of the most captivating, yet simple ideas I took away from that class was that any habit could be broken; it is just a matter of time and dedication.

It appears that is what this group believes and by diving into their "stories," these students relearn how to live their lives and become a great addition to society. Some of these performance stories include: Inside/Outside-an interactive performance for lifers and their families preparing for release, Journey Woman-a performance and residency for women prisoners, Open Your Eyes-a play about the dangers of trafficking recruitment, So Far-a sex offender treatment, and so on. These open-ended stories allow for audience members to question and influence the actors who are bound by a story they must continue to live in. As strange as it may seem, this method appears to work. A prisoner said about the performances, "That was spot-on. You hit the nail on the head. Some of the scenarios you presented today brought tears to my eyes."The actors are all convicted offenders and yet, these performances give them a chance to feel free--even if only on the stage.

The Geese Theatre Company's performances and groupwork interventions address many different offender issues. They have even started to expand internationally, helping with the Azerbaijan Women's Prison in Baku, Azerbaijan, as well as the issue of trafficking in Bulgaria. Because of their unique mask theater work, the company's approach is welcomed internationally and continues to find advocates for what they do. We can only hope that soon the Geese Theatre Company finds it way to America, to continue serious arts education and help fight for the future of the convicted and at-risk youth population.