The meaning of amateur adult theatre from the perspective of live of actors

Abstract

Aim of research. The paper sets out to describe the richness of esthetic and existential experiences of amateur actors (students of a Centre for Continuing Education), as well as show transformations in their psyche and life, evoked by participation in theatrical activities.

            Methods. The research method was action research with individual case study. Open, in-depth interviews with members of theatrical group “Pół żartem, pół serio” (Half-joking, half-serious) turned out to be the most useful research technique. In action research, researcher operates between theory and practice, and plays a double role: a researcher observing a theatre group form the perspective of a manager, and an actual member of the studied community. Researcher, who is in the middle of action, has more opportunities to learn the truth about the phenomenon of amateur theatre activity, as this truth is revealed in the thick of life of artists-amatuers and their instructor. Thus, the study also refers to some elements of actors’ biographies. Emancipatory factor of amateur theatre activity was the main element of respondents’ statements.

            Results. The research showed that theatre art is an effective way to communicate humanist message to people from dysfunctional groups, and in that sense, it is a great therapy and self-development motivating factor. Participation in theatrical activities led to some important changes in actors’ awareness. This, in turn, motivated them to introduce some profound changes in their personal life.  

Conclusions. For actors-amateurs who come from dysfunctional environments, theatrical activity is not only the means to know and understand the surrounding reality, but also a factor that frees them from various thinking patterns, limitations or bondage (emancipatory function of theatre). In the world of fluent change, theatre is often a catalyst for anxieties modern people struggle with, and becomes a freedom and sense of causative power.