Exploring Community Engagement in Indigenous Theatre: A Case Study of Rising Voices Collective

Thesis Abstract

Community engagement in indigenous theatre remains an underexplored area, despite its potential to foster cultural preservation, social cohesion, and community development. The Rising Voices Collective has emerged as a prominent organization advocating for indigenous storytelling through theatre, yet scholarly understanding of its community engagement strategies, impact, and sustainability remains limited. This study aims to explore how Rising Voices Collective fosters community participation, the socio-cultural factors influencing engagement, and the extent to which indigenous theatre enhances community identity and empowerment. The specific objectives are to (1) identify the community engagement practices employed by Rising Voices Collective, (2) assess community members’ perceptions of these practices, and (3) examine the relationship between community participation and perceptions of cultural revitalization. The research adopts a qualitative case study design, focusing on Rising Voices Collective's engagement activities over the past three years. The population comprises community members, theatre practitioners, and organizational stakeholders involved directly with the collective, with a purposive sample of 30 key informants and 50 community participants selected through stratified sampling to ensure representation across age, gender, and social groups. Data collection instruments include semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation. The validity and reliability of the instruments are ensured through pilot testing, member checking, and triangulation of data sources. Data analysis involves thematic analysis supported by NVivo software to identify core themes related to community participation, cultural identity, and perceived benefits. Additionally, descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation are used to analyze demographic data and survey responses from quantitative elements incorporated into the study. The study anticipates revealing that Rising Voices Collective employs innovative participatory practices, such as community storytelling circles and co-creation workshops, which significantly enhance participants’ sense of ownership and cultural pride. Findings are expected to demonstrate a positive correlation between active engagement in indigenous theatre activities and perceptions of cultural revitalization, social cohesion, and individual empowerment. It is projected that the study will contribute new insights into the specific mechanisms through which indigenous theatre organizations catalyze community development, expanding theoretical understanding aligned with social identity theory, underpinned by frameworks from participatory arts research. The research will address existing gaps by systematically documenting indigenous theatre’s role in community transformation within a specific socio-cultural context, offering a detailed model applicable to similar organizations. The main conclusion suggests that indigenous theatre, exemplified by Rising Voices Collective, serves as an effective vehicle for community engagement, cultural transmission, and social cohesion. Based on findings, the study recommends strategic enhancement of participatory practices through ongoing community dialogue, capacity building, and fostering partnerships with local institutions. It also advocates for policy frameworks supporting indigenous arts organizations as vital agents of cultural sustainability and social resilience. The study’s contribution to knowledge lies in its nuanced understanding of community engagement processes in indigenous theatre, with practical implications for arts practitioners, community organizers, and policymakers seeking to leverage theatre for cultural and social development. Future research could explore longitudinal impacts of indigenous theatre initiatives and comparative analyses across different indigenous communities to deepen understanding of contextual factors influencing engagement outcomes.