Phakama

An international arts organisation and network engaging with music dance theatre and visual art Phakama creates adventurous site-responsive performances with large groups of people from diverse backgrounds. With contributions from participants artists academics and cultural commentators from India Ireland South Africa the UK and USA this book features case studies interviews and articles covering two decades of practice. At the heart of the book is a selection of carefully explained and beautifully illustrated exercises which will enable Phakama''s methodology to be used by organisations and practitioners working with young people internationally. Phakama is a Xhosa and Zulu word for stand up arise empower yourself. With a focus on collaborative non-hierarchical performance making Phakama invites cultural sharing and critical engagement with the world we live in. As well as engaging with political and critical concerns about contemporary theatre and performance the book offers unique approaches to devising theatre applied and social theatre intercultural performance practices and pedagogic models of collaboration and cultural leadership.