Making Theatre A Source for Learning, Imagination and Creativity 以劇場為學習、想像和創作的源頭

Abstract

This keynote by Jonothan Neelands explores the enduring value of drama and theatre education as a transformative force for learning, imagination, and societal change. Drawing from over four decades of experience, Neelands reflects on his recent work in cultural leadership, particularly in Coventry, UK – a city with a rich history of resilience, diversity, and social action. Through stories of co-creation, ensemble practices, and city-wide cultural strategies, he demonstrates how the pedagogical principles of drama education– empathy, ensemble, participation, and reflective practice – can be applied at scale to foster community regeneration, inclusion, and democratic dialogue. Neelands emphasises the ecosystem theory of change, where partnerships across sectors collectively work toward shared goals using culture as a unifying and empowering tool. He argues that theatre is more than performance; it is the art of togetherness, cultivating empathetic citizens through creative collaboration and storytelling. The keynote closes by reaffirming theatre’s role in shaping compassionate, inclusive societies, especially through engaging the unheard and the marginalised. It is a call to continue imagining, creating, and learning together – whether in classrooms or entire cities – through the golden threads of theatre.

Jonothan Neelands的主題演講探討了戲劇與劇場教育在學習、想像和社會變革上作為一股轉化力量的持久價值。憑藉逾四十年的經驗,他回顧了近期在文化領導方面的工作,尤其是在英國高雲地利城 — 這座滿載堅毅、多元和社會行動歷史的城市。他以連串共同創作、集體實踐和全城文化策略的故事,展示出戲劇教育的教學原則 — 共情、團體、參與及反思實踐 — 如何可以大規模應用於促進社區再生、共融及民主對話。他強調變革的生態系統理論,主張各界攜手以文化為團結且自主的工具,一同朝着共同目標努力。他認為劇場不止於表演,而是一種凝聚各方的藝術,藉着創意構作及說故事的方式,培育能夠共情的公民。主題演講最後重申劇場在構建同情憐憫和包容共融的社會上所擔當的角色,特別是邀請聲音被忽略和被邊緣化的一群參與其中。這次主題演講是一次呼籲,鼓勵我們在課室也好,在整座城市也好,都要繼續以劇場為黃金線索一起想像、創作和學習。