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Organized and moderated by Editor Rivka Eckert, contributors shared perspectives and insights from the book. Contributors include: Julie Rada, Dr. Rachael Rhoades, MG Green, Alyssa Vera Ramos, Katherine Nigh, Sarah K. Chalmers, Tyrell Blacquemoss, Lynn Baker-Nauman, and Nicholas Fesette.
Intro Abolitionist Theatre explores the transformative potential of abolitionist theatre, as theatre artists and teachers collaborate with marginalized communities to challenge systems of oppression and inspire profound societal change. Focusing on the idea of bringing people together to demand collective care and community-led practice, this collection defines theatre’s role in the goals of abolition. Abolitionist theatremaking is a theatre that is connected to the practice of decolonization, intersectional feminism, climate justice, social justice, and liberation struggles. Exploring these ideas and offering a direct exploration of the questions that theatre artists and teachers should ask themselves when evaluating the abolitionist impact of their work, the volume provides accessible and practical tools for theatremakers with perspectives from working practitioners throughout. Through real-life stories and experiences shared by theatre practitioners, the book provides a rich and diverse tapestry of examples that highlight the ways in which community-based theatre can contribute to transformational change. Readers will benefit from practical frameworks, thought-provoking perspectives, and thoughtfully crafted insights that inspire them to reimagine their own theatre practices and empower them to create theatre that challenges and dismantles oppressive systems while uplifting marginalized voices.
Bio:
Rivka Eckert is a mother/artist, scholar activist, and abolitionist theatre-maker. As a scholar activist, her writings have been published in various collected volumes and by Teaching Artist Journal, Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Journal, and ArtsPraxis. Rivka has been recognized for her theatre-making and received the Arizona Humanities Rising Star Award. Her expertise lies in theatre in prisons and rehabilitative facilities, community-based theatre, and the politics and ethics of arts for social change. She holds an MFA in Theatre for Youth and Communities from Arizona State University. She is an Artist in Residence at Emerson College, teaching in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre. https://riveckert.weebly.com/.
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