Book Summary
Theatre, Drama, and Inclusive Education examines the role of the performing arts in addressing contemporary global debates on migration, human rights, diversity, and social cohesion. Published in conjunction with the tenth anniversary of the educational programme "It Could Be Me – It Could Be You" by the Hellenic Theatre/Drama & Education Network (TENet-Gr), the volume investigates how theatre practices can create public spaces for exploring complex social issues and prioritises the redistribution of voice and agency, positioning individuals with direct experiences of displacement, discrimination, and exclusion as active creators of knowledge and artistic practice. Structured into two interconnected sections, the book synthesises international perspectives from educators, artists, researchers, and community practitioners.
Part A establishes the theoretical and ethical foundations of inclusive education through the arts. Moving beyond rigid disciplinary boundaries, it explores the fluid intersections of educational and process drama, applied and participatory theatre, puppetry, and theatre of the oppressed with devised theatre, theatre of the real, documentary performance, social dialogue theatre, and activist practices. It employs an intersectional analytical lens to examine how structures of power—including race, gender, disability, class, and migration status—interact to shape experiences of marginalisation and privilege. Contributors present interdisciplinary frameworks for utilising these diverse forms to advocate for human rights, detailing performative approaches to support refugees, newcomers, and Roma communities, while analysing systemic discrimination based on disability, gender, and age.
Part B focuses exclusively on the methodologies developed within the "It Could Be Me – It Could Be You" programme, implemented in collaboration with UNHCR. This section details pedagogical tools, workshop outlines, and community interventions based on a decade of fieldwork. It provides structured strategies designed for teachers, facilitators, and cultural workers to foster intercultural dialogue, establish safe spaces for expression, and support the integration of diverse groups.
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CONTENTS
Christina Zoniou, Nikos Govas – Editors’ Preface
Who’s Afraid of Inclusion?
Sanja Krsmanović Tasić – Foreword by the President of IDEA
The Sword, Shield, and Helmet of the Superhero – Advocacy as Practice in Drama/Theatre Education
Vassilis Klissiaris - Foreword by the President of the Board of TENet-Gr
A Place Where Theatre, Democracy and Inclusion Meet
PART A. Critical Perspectives and Contemporary Practices in Theatre, Drama and Inclusive Education
Chapter 1 : The Politics of Ιnclusive Education
John O’Toole
Drama Versus the Sabre-tooth Tiger: Creating a Pedagogy for Humans
Kostas Magos
Aiming for and Opposing Inclusion
Sanjoy Ganguly
From Introspection to Inclusivity: Philosophy, Performance, and Political Practice
Despina Karakatsani
Freedom and Autonomy in the Educational Context and the Role of Children's Rights
Xenia Chryssochoou
Identities, Otherness, Multiculturalism: Challenges for Education
Kostis Papaioannou
A World in Total Disarray: Seeking New Ways Against Ideas of Hate
Chapter 2 Theatrical Representations of Otherness: (Post-)Colonial and (Anti-)Hegemonic Narratives
Kostas Magos
Good Intentions, Problematic Outcomes: Challenges and “Traps” in Intercultural Education Practices
Janardan Ghosh
Embodiment, Orality, and the Rasa of Learning: Revisiting the Performative Dimensions of Ancient Indian Education for Indigenous Knowledge Research
Penelope Avouri
Inclusion and Decolonisation of the Mind
Daniel Dilliplane
Promoting Racial Equity in Diverse Classrooms using the InterPlay Performance Practice
Rania Karachaliou
Combining Critical Literacy with Educational Drama and Documentary Theatre Techniques: The Case of Liquid Racism
Christina Zoniou
“Who Speaks for Whom?”: Roma Representation, Self-Representation and the Politics of Inclusive Theatre Practices
Yiannis Georgiou
Issues of Theatrical Representation of Otherness: The Case of Roma people
Aktina Stathaki
Inclusion as (Anti-)Hegemonic Practice: Reflections on the Performance of Romáland at the Onassis Stegi
Chapter 3 Migration and Forced Displacement: Counter-Narratives, Inclusion, and New Beginnings
Stella Nanou
The Role of Media and the Arts in Shaping Public Attitudes Towards Refugees: The Greek Experience
Yolanda Markopoulou
Amal Means Hope
George Simopoulos
Education of Children with Refugee Backgrounds: A Field of Challenges – A Field of Transformation
Panagiota (Naya) Kalfeli
Beyond Fear: Media Narratives, Migration, and the Role of Media Literacy in Inclusive Futures
Cecilia Carponi
The Contemporary Puppet Theatre in Italy: Pedagogical and Educational Pathways for Inclusive Societies
Gelly Aroni
Migrations of Voice: Young Refugees from Objects of Narrative to Subjects of Discourse
Noémie Besace, Bruno Freyssinet
“Oratio Mix”
Bruno Freyssinet, Foteini Dimitriou, Amandine Thiriet, Pierre-Jérôme Adjedj
The “Lotus Project”: Yoga, Poetry, and Poetry Therapy as Holistic Tools to Support the Mental Health and Social Inclusion of Refugees and Immigrants
Chapter 4 Gender, Power, and Social Change
Betty Giannouli, Hara Tsoukala
Visible and Invisible Gender Discrimination in the Educational Environment: Exploring the Gender Dimension of Inclusion
Vera Lardi, Alexandra Vassiliou
Social Dialogue Theatre: Applied Theatre Meets Group Process Aiming Towards Social Change
Martha Katsaridou, Koldo Vío
“Where is Mum?”: Applying Drama for Gender Equality Education
Nicoletta Dimopoulou
I Didn’t Mean It! A Participatory Performance on Intimate Partner Abuse
Sunčica Milosavljević
“Who Was Granny?”: Drama and Theatre Exploration of Family Histories with High School Students
Chapter 5 Disability, Accessibility, and Diverse Learning
Maria Ioannidou
As We Truly Are: Space for All Bodies – Reflections on Inclusive Facilitation and Accessibility in the Performing Arts and Education
Angela Bettoni, Tyrone Grima
Representation for People with Learning Disabilities in the Performing Arts in Malta
Vassilis Oikonomou
Disability, Theatre, and the Transformation of Pedagogical Paradigms: Teaching or Facilitating?
Mirona-Horiana Stănescu, Ioana-Letitia Șerban, Andrea Hathazi
Theatre as an Impactful Teaching Tool to Support the Inclusion of Children with Special Educational Needs
Graham Lea
Towards Paramathematics for Promoting Inclusive Mathematics
Athina Avramidi, Dimitrios Bantes, Christina Nanou, Maria Drossinou Korea
Theatrical Performance as an Intervention for the Inclusion of a Student with Autism Spectrum Disorder in General High School
Maria Koltsida
Performing Arts, Education, and Disability: Challenges for Artists, Facilitators, and Educators
Chapter 6 Performing Arts in Prison Education
Stathis Grapsas
The Implementation of the Personal Development Workshop for Inmates in the Korydallos Prison Psychiatric Hospital
Dora Katsamori, Giorgos Moschos
Theatre, Performing Arts, and Prison Education: Limits, Challenges, and Prospects
Magda Vitsou, Kostas Magos
The Contribution of Applied Puppetry and Life Stories to the Empowerment of Young Detained Migrants
Marina-Stavroula Tsagri
The Journey to the Fantastic Treasure: Drama in Education as a Tool for Enhancing Self-Perception of Adult Prisoners - An Action Research Study in a High-Security Detention Facility
Ioanna Mitsika
The Body in Prison: Theatre Practice as a Field of Ethnographic Knowledge
Chapter 7 Beyond Loneliness: Creating Communities and Shared Public Spaces through Theatre and Drama
Erica Piazzoli
“Your Majesty, Do you Have a Headache?” Reflections on Distancing as Vertical Re-framing in a Process Drama on Loneliness
Sofia Vgenopoulou
Devised Theatre: New Meanings and New Narratives – Learning to See the Other
Sanja Krsmanović Tasić
Devising as a Process of Inclusion and Developing Group Harmony
Miranda Vatikioti, Rigas Zafeiriou
Bridging Generations Through Performing Arts and Food Heritage. The case of an intergenerational initiative in Messenia, Greece
Eleni Papaioannou
Play JAM: A Practice to Reclaim Play as Movement, Community, and Inclusive Pedagogy
Nancy Franco
Drama Education: Is It an Answer to Prepare for an Unpredictable World?
Chapter 8 Democracy, Global Citizenship, and Human Rights: Reimagining Politics through Theatre and Drama
Nassia (Athanasia) Choleva
Drama in Primary Education and Competences for Democratic Culture: Towards a Framework for Drama Teachers and Facilitators
Lazaros Filippos Zarfeiadis
The Contribution of Theatre of the Real to Critical Human Rights Education
Ilaria Paradiso
Theatre of the Oppressed: A Pedagogical Tool for Social Change
Ifigenia Georgiadou, Kyriaki Pertsinidou
Theatre as a Tool for Creativity and Inclusion in the ACAδIMIA – European Teacher Academy
Lutz Pickardt
“Theatre Makes Politics”: Theatre for Political Education
Vassilis Klissiaris, Katerina Alexiadi
Deconstructing the Established: Addressing Racism and Reimagining a Democratic Future Through Theatre
PART B. The Legacy of “It Could Be Me – It Could Be You”: A Decade of Theatre, Human Rights, and Inclusive Education
Nikos Govas
“It Could Be Me – It Could Be You”: From Strategic Choices to Learning Communities and Social Action
Eva Savvopoulou
“It Could Be Me – It Could Be You”: A Powerful Reminder Kept Alive by the Education Community, 10 Years on
Artemisia Papakonstantinopoulou
The “It Could Be Me – It Could Be You” Programme: Fostering Resilience, Empowerment, and Intercultural Competence
George Moschos, Olga Orfanidou
“POWER!”: Exploring and Blocking Racism Within us and Around Us
Giorgos Bekiaris
“Me and the Other”: Drama-Based Approaches to Exploring Identity and Otherness
Nikos Govas, Katerina Alexiadi
“The Quarantine Monologues”: When the Pandemic Met the Refugee Experience
Antigoni Tsarbopoulou, Jenny Karaviti, Eirini Marna
“My Name Is … Mine!” and “The Quarantine Dialogues”: Α Drama-in-Education Workshop and an Implementation to Foster Personal Oral and Written Expression
Giorgos Bekiaris
YOU Should Take Them Into Your Homes! An Online Forum Theatre Performance as a Pedagogical Approach to Refugee Contexts and Hate Speech
Ioannis Poulios
“Reframing the News” and “Nour”: Two Audiovisual Workshops to Raise Awareness of Human Rights and Refugee Issues
Ioanna Lioutsia
“The Sound of Pebbles”: An Interdisciplinary Arts Workshop
Katerina Alexiadi
From Brecht to Dariush: A 2800-Mile Journey – Wandering Through Texts in the Dust of Time and Trails
Christina Zoniou
Theatre, Critical Intercultural Education, and Human Rights: Experiential Practices in the Workshop “Express It Dynamically Through Images!”