Common Weal is proud to assist and partner with Sheatre in April 2011 with Far From the Heart, a touring interactive theatre project featuring a dating violence prevention play and educational forum that engages and educates youth audiences on this sensitive subject, and related issues. The program will utilize the performing arts, interactive discussions, an educational guide, teacher training, and in-class activities to send the message and to assist in the delivery of the core curriculum in the areas of sexuality, health and violence prevention.

Sheatre, producer of Far From the Heart, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Far From the Heart, developed by youth from rural and small urban communities in Ontario, has had two successful tours there. 

The play, created with teens who have experienced this issue, presents problematic scenarios that end in a dilemma to deliberately stimulate audience members into action.  The actors do not offer solutions. The audience views the short play once, seeing the problems. Some scenes are then repeated.  This second time through any spectator can stop the action and replace the oppressed character – someone who is made to think, feel or do something other than what they want to – to try to effect a positive change.  The spectator becomes the participant whose purpose is to offer alternative behaviour choices and create a more positive outcome.

The facilitators emcee the performances; their key role is to lead short lively discussions after audience interventions; did the idea work or not… and why?  Will it solve anything?  We explore relationships that lead to conflict, violence and oppression. And we learn about many different ways of preventing and/or dealing with a situation.  We’ll discover alternate choices.

As a result, people are given the opportunity to critically observe and analyze behaviours, gain knowledge needed in everyday life to resolve conflicts, negotiate relationships and avoid risk, and thereby gain problem-solving skills. Participants and spectators gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics and relationships within the issue.

Sheatre is producer of Far From the Heart, and the proposed tour will be in Saskatchewan in September of 2011. Sheatre celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Far From the Heart, developed by youth from rural and small urban communities in Ontario, has had two successful tours there.