Qualitative Data Analysis : An Introduction Carol Grbich Chapter 11 Ethnodrama

Ethno drama and performance texts Key points Ethnodrama is a powerful tool for highlighting cultural issues and the perspectives of disempowered people The skills of a playwright are essential The dialogical aspect of performance bringing together diverse perspectives can be an important vehicle for change

Ethno drama A hermeneutic and critically reflective process The primary objective is to educate or bring about change in your audience by using ethnographically derived data to present political and social issues in dramatic form.

Ethnodrama Process 1. Source data from: interviews, observations and documentation to produce a polyphonic narrative collage. Develop characters Develop script – dialogue and activity Monologue Dialogue Monologue+ dialogue

Ethnodrama Process 2. Develop the story line - Take out the essence of field notes, interview transcripts and journal entries, photos, TV scripts etc Keep the numbers of actors to the minimum required to tell the story Decide from whose perspective the story is to be told What role should the researcher play? Use theatrical artifacts to send messages to the audience rather than overusing language –

Dialogical validation Ongoing dialogue with participants Pre performance : Dialogical interaction with Actors Relevant community groups Post performance: Dialogical interaction with the Audience Actors Community groups

Criticisms Quality Researchers are not playwrights Ethics Uncertainties of participants Participant vulnerability The dialogic encounter Whose perspective dominates Well researchers negotiate?

Evaluation What level of participation do key participants have in the creation of their stage characters and the dialogical negotiation which follows a performance? What levels of interactivity occur with the audience and with relevant public groups through dialogical exchange Do performances succeed in bringing people of different perspectives together so exchange and collaboration can occur? What are the outcomes of these interactions in terms of change? (adapted from Jones, 2007 )

New forms of Ethnodrama World wide web as a stage Autoethnodrama Articles written as dramatic scripts