Dramatic Problem Solving: Transforming Community Conflict through Performance in Costa Rica

This study is an examination of how Dramatic ProblemSolving (DPS), an interactive theatre based facilitation wasimplemented in a community with the goal of structuralconflict transformation at a community, interpersonal, andintrapersonal level. By incorporating action research in astudy of a theatre based facilitation model, the study mergesthe fields of conflict resolution with performance studies. Thestudy’s focus is praxis, equally examining theory, processand outcomes. The field of facilitated conflict resolution hasoften focused on process (Frey, 2003; Broome, 2003;Schwarz, 2005). The field of performance has often focusedon the external expression and final outcome (Schechner,2003; Park-Fuller, 2005). By combining performancestudies, theatre for social change, and facilitation, this studyprovides an example of transdisciplinary research that is thehallmark of both conflict analysis and resolution andperformance studies.