THEATRE FOR DEVELOPMENT AS A PARTICIPATORY TOOL FOR COMMUNITY MOBILISATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

Abstract

Theatre for Development (TfD) has emerged as a vital participatory communication strategy for addressing social challenges within grassroots communities in Benue State. This paper examines the effectiveness of Theatre for Development (TfD) as a tool for community mobilization, dialogue, and social change in rural communities. Anchored on Participatory theatre theory and Paulo Freire’s concept of conscientization, the research adopts a qualitative approach, largely utilising observation, interviews, and participatory performance analysis from a TfD intervention workshop conducted at Rice Mill community, Gboko, Benue State. Findings reveal that TfD is a tool that encourages collective problem identification, strengthens community dialogue, participation, and enhances awareness of socio-economic and governance-related issues aimed at positive social change. The study further establishes that when community members are actively involved in the theatrical process from advocacy and story creation to performance, there is a greater sense of ownership and sustained impact. The paper concludes that Theatre for Development remains a relevant and powerful approach to grassroots mobilisation for any action to create a social change for development especially in rural communities in Nigeria and recommends its increased integration into community development policies and programmes in Nigeria.