Theatre as Research

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology called Theatre as Research. It argues that using theatre to analyse and present research findings draws on both the creative and intuitive unconscious as well as the logical, cognitive and rational dimensions of the mind. The methodology is presented in a big picture context, showing its philosophical alignment, from the overarching epistemology of Constructionism, which informs the whole approach, right down to the methods used to implement the research process. Within this context, the paper also discusses various theories that support the notion of intuition as a way of knowing. Gebser’s (1986) theory of the evolution of consciousness, along with contemporary theories of psychoanalysis and left and right brain functioning, collectively support the contention that Theatre as Research is able to draw on the powerful and creative unconscious to inform the final, cognitive analysis of the data. It is a process through which the unconscious synthesis of data to produce impressions and metaphors can then be clarified and articulated through the mindful scripting and presentation of the play.