Geese Theatre Company: What do they do?

1. Describe in your own words Geese theatres' key theories.
Geese Theatre Company uses four theories in the workshops and activities when working with offenders and people who are at risk of offending. These theories are: Social Learning Theory by Bandura (1977), Cognitive Behaviour Theory, Role Theory and The Mask (Baim, 2002). 

Social Learning Theory

This theory is to do with how learning occurs in a social context (Baim, 2002). The facilitator must consider the following stages in order for there to be effective learning with in the whole group they are facilitating. These stages are: 

1. Assess/self assessment of skills needed

2. Introduction

These skills and mini skills that are identified in the assess/self assessment of skills needed stage are practised through stages or procedures (Baim, 2002).  

3. Modelling

In this stage the facilitator or participants of the group model good and bad behaviour using the skills and mini skills they have practiced in the introduction (Baim, 2002).

4. Multiple practice

This stage is to do with practising the skills in the mini stages. The mini stages and the realistic side of it is increased in difficulty and becomes more challenging. This level of difficulty helps the participants to reinforce the skills they have learnt (Baim, 2002).

5. Testing of a new skill

The skills are tested and then the feedback is given to the participants (Baim, 2002).

6. Real world practice

The participants use their skills in everyday experiences (Baim, 2002).

Cognitive Behaviour Theory

Cognitive Behaviour Theory is the idea of identifying and understanding the participants thoughts about a situation, themselves and others and how this can effect their behaviour. Also this theory focuses on the idea of how changing the participants thoughts and views can have an effect on their behaviour as well. This theory very much applies to offenders as they will have their own pattern of thinking which may need to be modified in order to promote positive change mentally, physically or both. If a facilitator gets the participants to take part in a role play activity then this is one way that could alter the participants pattern of thinking (Baim, 2002).

Role Theory

This theory is the idea of Identifying a roles such as a mother, father, teacher and then identifying associate behaviours liked to that given role. Acquiring a role repertoire and associate behaviour can allow participants to deal with different situations. However, if some participants are uneducated in a specific role, that’s when role theory suggests that they can look up all the things associated with that role and then they can test it out before doing it in real life (Baim, 2002).

The Mask

Geese Theatre Company uses the metaphor of the mask as the main theatrical convention in the majority of their work. When using this theatrical convention in workshops and activities, the facilitator first lifts the mask in order to reveal the hidden thoughts and feelings of the participants, their characters or a combination of the two (Baim, 2002). The facilitator then focuses on the nature of the mask itself and its purpose. Some participants may wear this particular type of mask to feel safe i.e. angry mask. The group could then discuss when using can be useful and when using the mask could not be useful (Baim, 2002).

2. What specifically stood out for you in the Geese theatre reading? ( Give 2 examples, Be specific. Did it make you think about something - if so, what? Did it raise questions for you - if so, what are they?)

On page 21 of the handbook Baim explained about the freeze frame activity and how this has an effect on the participants. In this activity the participants would do a freeze frame based on mugging and their partner would be the victim. Some questions could then be raised such as "How would the victim feel? What would the victim think?" The participant who plays the mugger also would get the opportunity to express what they think or feel before the mugging took place (Baim, 2002). This activity made me feel shocked and amazed because I never thought something as simple as a freeze frame activity could make a person confront themselves and their actions. Also it allows that person to think how the victim felt and the victim got to express how they felt as well. I feel that this activity is powerful and made a statement in this sense. One question I have is as follows: It is stated in the handbook I read that we as facilitators are not therapists. I completely agree with this and understand this. However, how does a facilitator uncover the thoughts, feelings and attitudes of a group member or the group through activities and workshops but without not unveiling too much psychological thoughts as this could be very damaging to that person or the group or anyone with a type of disability or mental health condition?  

Another part of the handbook that really stood out for me was what Baim stated near the beginning of the handbook. He stated:

“Research evidence tells us that not only is it possible to address offending behaviour work through experiential means, but in fact this approach is the very lifeblood of the most effective offending behaviour programs. Effective programs involve the whole person, in heart, mind and action” (Baim, 2002: xii)

This quote really interested me because it made me feel in generic terms that drama can have a positive effect on a persons social development, confidence, self-esteem and it can generally prepare them for the challenges of day to day life. They can even make friends with other people as they take part in activities, workshops and performances. I also feel that drama is one of the art forms that people may find to be a very educational and informative source, so I can see that these are some of the many reasons why the likes of Geese Theatre Company use experimental performances and activities to address offending behaviour. Some questions that has come to mind on this matter is: If drama and other art forms can have many positive benefits for people, why are there soo many cuts to funding which theatre companies heavily rely on to continue their work? Why is drama studies not on the curriculum in primary schools?

3.How does the work of Geese theatre company join up with the wider world of Applied theatre and the idea of dominant narratives?

Geese Theatre Company works with people who offend or at risk of offending so these types of groups are classed as marginalised groups. These groups are given the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings through workshops, performances and rehearsals in a safe controlled setting. As a result of this, these groups challenge the dominant narratives as it is them communicating their personal thoughts, feelings and issues, not the people in power.

In day to day life some people take in information from the news, advertisements, famous people or high up role models and any other person who is currently in power. Some people believe what they have been told by those in power which may not be fully true. For example, on the news recently Donald Trump has been accused of either sexually harassing women or assaulting them. He argued that the police assume that the defendants who has been arrested are fully guilty, and any information the police gets about the defendants which proves they are not guilty are dismissed. This part of the news is a prime example of how some people make instant assumptions about a situation even though they have not been given the full information. I am not saying Donald Trump is right in what he said. I am also not saying that the news and the women are correct in what they said either. All I think is that society needs to be given the whole and exact story of a situation before they make instant assumptions. Generally I feel in these types of situations, not all marginalised groups of people are given the opportunity to express their views, thoughts and feelings or even the truth about a particular situation so unfortunately society take what information they are given as true.  

At least with theatres such as Geese Theatre Company, Britain's Cardboard Citizens and many others, the groups within them present to audiences and themselves the full truth about current issues, personal issues and many other issues that are happening in our day to day lives. Slowly the truth about different social and political issues are being unveiled to society which is one of the many aims when it comes to applied theatre.

Reference List

Baim, C. (2002) Geese theatre handbook. Winchester: Waterside.