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.

Caoimhe McAvinchey, Lucy Richardson and Fabio Santos, illustrated by Andrew Siddall

Acknowledgements Contributors List of Illustrations Forward by Mandla Mbothwe INTRODUCTION Phakama Projects (1996-2006) Timeline PART ONE: PREPARING THE GROUND Introduction to Preparing the Ground Hosting Introduction Phakama Practice: Cultural Tours Phakama Practice: Cultural Tours - How To The Practical Politics of Care Case Study: The Child I Curry (Lesotho, 2003) by Selloane Mokuku Give and Gain Introduction Phakama Practice: Give and Gain Phakama Practice: Give and Gain - How To Cultural Contexts: South Africa and Ubuntu, Progressive Education Case Study: Bulang Dikgoro/ Open the Gates (South Africa, 1996 - 1997) by Tony Fegan. Interview: 'Give and Gain: Twenty Years Later' with Mildrett Stevens, Tracey Ligate and Sharon Waverly (Phakama South Africa) Cultural Sharing Introduction: Working Together Phakama Practice: Mapping the World Phakama Practice: Mapping the World - How To Difficult Cooperation Case Study: Be Yourself (Phakama SA and Phakama UK, Tricycle Theatre, London, 1999) by Caroline Calburn Interview with Maylene Catchpole (Phakama UK) Essay: 'When Time Is Not (2008): Artistic Exchange between Project Phakama UK and the Creative Arts Team (New York City)' by Ananda Breed. PART TWO: MAKING THE PERFORMANCE Introduction to Making the Performance Layered Co-Authorship Working with Site and Found Materials Hosting The Audience Interview with James Hadley, Phakama Relationship Manager, Arts Council England (2008-2014). Essay: 'Catalytic Conversations: The aesthetic weave and social weft of Phakama's creative practice' by Sara Matchett Case Study: The Phakama Way, Pune, India (2002) by Vidyanidhee Vanarese The Street Is My Backyard, Buenos Aires, Argentina (1996), Charlotte Higgins, The Guardian, Monday 17 April 2006 PART THREE: CELEBRATION Introduction to Celebration Connecting Introduction Case Study: The Edible Garden (UK, 2012-2016) by Corinne Micallef Being Introduction Essay: 'Alive to the Music of What's Happening' by Lucy Neal Stepping Up Introduction Interviews with: Jake Boston Sam Quinn Juancho Gonzalez Cedoux Kadima Liesl Hartman Jean September Alpha Thiam Beverley Randall Clinton Osborne and Mpotseng Shuping Luvuyo Mabuto and Craig Koopman Introduction to 'Performing Risk' Essay: 'Performing Risk' by Shirley Brice Heath. EPILOGUE INDEX