Drama-action Model of Educational Theatre as the Place for Overcoming Negative Prejudice and Discrimination toward Vulnerable Groups

Sa？etak This article raises a question ？can negative prejudice and discrimination toward vulnerable groups, which is especially strong during economic or humanitarian crisis, be overcome through a shift in education and implementation of theatre principles in education process?”. It is argued here that stronger introduction of educational theatre and drama-action model in education would be beneficial for both the receiving culture (Europe) and the migrant populations, especially during economic and humanitarian.crisis that we witness today (European migrant crisis). Namely, it is argued that use of educational theatre in working with migrants and local population would help overcome negative prejudice and consequential discrimination that is on the rise in most of today’s Europe. The introduction of educational theatre in education would be a sign of change from positivist and exclusive world view (which is being conveyed by contemporary formal education in most of Europe) to a more inclusive and dialectic education that allows introduction of the Other. Article then continues to show why theatre is the most appropriate instrument for this challenge. Furthermore, it is argued here that introduction of educational theatre would be beneficial in any Us vs. Them social situation as it is highly adaptable and ？naturally” pre-set with all prerequisites for overcoming negative prejudice and discrimination. Educational theatre is defined by theatrical values of freedom from roles, intense interaction and critical thinking – all of which prerequisite overcoming prejudice and discrimination, and are sorely missing from contemporary formal education. Finally, an drama-action model of educational theatre is proposed for educational systems – a model that has been developed during years of research that showed just how beneficial this model is in working with vulnerable groups and in overcoming prejudicial attitudes and discrimination practices by bridging the Us vs. Them social divide into one group of Goffman’s Wise