Applied Theater and Citizenship in the Puerto Rican Community

Applied Theater refers to the practice of theater in nontraditional settings, often with marginalized communities. After providing a brief history of Puerto Rico, the chapter describes Applied Theater artist-educators and theater organizations in Puerto Rico, and one playwright in New York City, to explore how they utilize their artistic skills to address current issues like politics and identity in the Puerto Rican community. Specifically, the chapter explores how alternative theater practice in Applied Theater, including street theater, masks, puppets, physical theater, playwriting, and Theater of the Oppressed techniques, fuel concepts of citizenship aligned to self-expression, interaction, critical reflection, and communication in the community. Core findings emerge from the use of qualitative methods such as observation and in-depth interviews, as well as the author’s personal experiences in and reflections on Applied Theater practice with and for Puerto Ricans.

Citizenship · Ethnology · Geography · Political science · Puerto rican · Sociology · Gender Studies · History · Latin American and Latino Studies · Law