Themba Interactive Theatre Company – South Africa

Interactive Themba Theatre has developed a range of plays to suit different audiences and age groups. Within the context of HIV/AIDS, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), and gender norms, the performances cover issues such as communication, relationships, discrimination, attitudes, sexual behaviour, ignorance, and stigma. To meet the needs of workers, Themba staff have also developed plays that deal with HIV issues in the workplace.

Overall, the project's performance-workshops aim to:

• provide up-to-date, accurate information about HIV/AIDS and related issues;
• provide opportunities for the audience to practice strategies for safe/safer sex;
• promote "staying safe" as “cool” through the role modelling by the actor-educator and performance characters;
• challenge stereotypes, discrimination, stigma, and prejudice, and address the South African context around HIV/AIDS;
• develop peer education and support for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS; and
• encourage voluntary testing and counselling.

At each performance-workshop, a short play is performed. This is followed by the Interactive Themba Theatre (ITT) process. This process is based on a range of theatre methodologies including Forum Theatre, drama therapy, psychodrama, theatre games, improvisation, formal teaching methods, play devising, play directing, and performance. The audience members, primarily from disadvantaged communities, share their concerns, practice negotiating risk-free sexual encounters, explore non-risky behaviour, take on roles within the drama, interact with the characters, talk about sex, and learn more about the risks of unsafe sex. They also include singing, drumming and dancing.

According to the organisers, one of the unique features of the methodology is the use of short “cameo” scenes – duologues - that demonstrate a variety of possible responses to situations involving sexual encounters or other scenarios (like the stigma of HIV, or going for an HIV test). Colour-coded visual aids are used to impart messages about sex and sexual activities using popular terms and the full range of Southern African languages. Audience members are invited to offer alternative words to ensure understanding is achieved. A “truth stick” is used when a character has to tell the absolute truth and can no longer hide behind denial or his “street cred” image.

Themba’s interactive training programmes are offered to groups of peer educators and trainers who want to learn how to devise and develop plays or other interventions dealing with HIV and AIDS and related issues. These tailor-made training programmes are designed to equip participants, particularly young women, with skills to negotiate safer sex, make informed behaviour choices, challenge gender norms, and impact on their communities or work-places.

Each year, Themba auditions, selects, and then trains post-matric youth who have an interest in becoming actor-educators in the organisation's interactive performances. Since these participants are not charged a fee, the organisation relies on funding to cover the cost of the training and job creation. Although not all participants will join the organisation as staff members, the programme ensures that they all learn new skills and gain knowledge so that they can change their own sexual behaviours and make a difference in their communities.

HIV/AIDS, Youth

Themba won the Mail & Guardian's Investing in the Future Most Innovative Award 2007 and the Mail & Guardian's Investing in the Future Merit Award for Most Innovative Project 2006. By invitation, Themba performed in Gaborone, Botswana, on World AIDS Day 2006 for the SADC Secretariat. Representatives from 14 countries were present and participated in their play dealing with HIV and AIDS and related issues.