Theatre in social work education (TIS WE): A pedagogy for living critical-radical social work to bridge the micro-macro divide

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief account of my journey to implement applied theater in an elective social work education course in New York City, encouraging creativity, risk-taking, and methods for challenging oppression. The experience described supported my process of becoming a creative educator and my pedagogy for teaching critical-radical social work. Critical social work incorporates dialogue and self-reflection to excavate the roots of dehumanization. Radical social work uproots dehumanizing (internal and external) ideologies and practices of dominance (e.g. racism, transphobia, colonialism, white supremacy). Theatre in social work education (TIS WE) an active experiential learning process sets the stage for bringing critical-radical social work education to life by incorporating aesthetic distance, liminal space, intersectionality and embodied practice, scaffolding, and radical imagination. These components develop awareness of micro to macro processes and consequences; and demand holistic problem solving of bio-psycho-social-cultural conundrums, epitomizing critical-radical social work pedagogy. After earning my PhD and becoming a professor, I felt competent as a scholar-activist. However, I developed my identity, designed my practice, and honed my skills as a creative educator while simultaneously playing the roles of student in the Master of Arts in Applied Theatre (MAAT) program and social work educator.