Our Practice

Key Focus Areas

• Arts Education for All: AFA champions the role of arts education across both formal institutions and informal learning environments. The aim is to foster creativity, empathy, and reflective capacities that underpin lifelong learning and civic responsibility. Programmes under this focus include participatory theatre, creative pedagogy workshops, and educator training to nurture imagination and social awareness among learners of all ages.

• Arts for Social and Community Development: AFA advances the integration of the arts within social and community ecosystems—positioning artistic practice as essential to holistic well-being, social inclusion, and the cultivation of resilient, connected communities. Projects include reminiscence arts initiatives, intergenerational collaborations, and inclusive programmes that use arts to build belonging and care within social and community settings.

• Community and Cultural Leadership: AFA plans to develop emerging practitioners and thought-leaders through mentorship, professional development, and capacity-building opportunities. These programmes equip practitioners to sustain cross-sector cultural work with integrity, resilience, and a commitment to care, in developing a stronger community arts and engagement workforce.

Applied Theatre as Pedagogy

Applied theatre is an umbrella term that defines theatre which operates beyond the traditional and limiting scope of conventional Western theatre forms. It is often characterised by work which deliberately engages in spaces or with groups of people where mainstream theatre still fears to tread. The boundaries between actors and spectators are purposefully blurred as all participants are involved as active theatre makers. Frequently, applied theatre is constructed as a response to social or political challenges and is seen as a process where difference and change can be wrought through its making.

(P. O’Connor & B. O’Connor, 2009)

AFA uses Applied Theatre as its main pedagogical approach because it aligns perfectly with our commitment to engage, empower, and activate communities, inspiring reflection, dialogue, and collective action. Here’s why it’s central to our work:

• Process-based Creative Engagement: Applied Theatre creates immersive and participatory experiences, allowing individuals to engage with complex social issues in a creative, hands-on way. It provides a platform for personal and collective expression, where participants actively shape the outcomes, making learning meaningful and impactful.

• Empowering Communities: Through Applied Theatre, we empower participants to reflect on their experiences, beliefs, and challenges, while also connecting them to wider social and cultural narratives. It encourages personal agency and social responsibility, helping people realise their potential as active change-makers in their communities.

• Facilitating Dialogue and Understanding: The theatrical form offers a safe space for dialogue, where diverse voices can be heard and different perspectives explored. By examining real-life issues through theatre, we promote empathy, understanding, and respect among individuals from varied backgrounds.

• Addressing Social Issues: Applied Theatre provides a dynamic way to explore and respond to pressing social issues such as identity, inequality, and community resilience. Through role-playing, storytelling, and dramatic techniques, participants can explore solutions and insights, while also raising awareness in a way that is both engaging and accessible.

• Holistic Learning: Applied Theatre blends intellectual, emotional, and social learning. It supports the development of critical thinking, social-emotional skills, and creative problem-solving. It also builds confidence, communication skills, and teamwork, all of which are essential for personal and community growth.

Our Specialisation