Bringing Politics to the People: Verbatim Theatre as Democratic Participation

Abstract

This research project examines the state of contemporary verbatim theatre in relation to the genre’s connection to political issues and the overall potential such works have to model and inspire democratic participation. I argue that despite an observed drop in popularity over the past decade, verbatim theatre remains a relevant genre that is uniquely situated to facilitate political discourse, which will in turn foster a sense of democratic participation among audiences through public political discourse. The project addresses gaps in the literature on verbatim theatre by identifying unique verbatim characteristics, which sets the genre apart from other documentary-based theatre. In terms of verbatim’s connection to politics and democracy, this thesis examines the historical connection between documentary genres and other forms of political theatre, arguing that verbatim has long demonstrated a commitment to grassroots political issues which impact ordinary citizens on an everyday level. This study examines the rise of post-truth, specifically the movement’s impact on political discourse, while considering the role verbatim theatre plays in legitimizing the shift away from singular objective understandings of truth. Finally, the thesis concludes with a consideration of what’s next for verbatim theatre in this context, and the ways I will continue to grapple with these issues both as an academic and a practicing theatre artist.