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Getting Straight Through

Country

Spain

Programme Summary

Developed by the Spain-based El Teatro de Mimo, "Getting Straight Through" is centred on the presentation of mime performances to 14- to 18-year old youth in educational and other youth establishments. Mime sketches, humour, magic, and audience participation are used in the show as a basis to explore a number of facts about the effects of alcohol consumption, with the aim of developing a critical attitude in the audience towards the personal, family, work, and social problems generated by an alcohol culture.

Communication Strategies

This project draws on the art of mime to convey messages about alcohol use and abuse to young people of an age at which communication can be complicated, and when the danger of beginning unhealthy habits can be heightened. The mime show may be staged in Spanish, English, or Basque in secondary schools, institutes, or theatres, and intends to reach directly to the emotional consciousness of students through the art of mime. By means of several sketches - some comical and others characterised by a dramatic tone - different situations where alcohol is the trigger for action, are represented.

As a complement to this edutainment component, attendance at the mime event can be used as the basis for student participation in educational activities organised around each presentation. Teachers may, that is, use the performance as a launching point for classroom activities - whether didactic or reflective - that address the issue.

Development Issues

Health, Youth.

Key Points

"Getting Straight Through" has been performed in schools all over Spain and, according to organisers, "has received wide acceptance by teachers and drug action team technicians. Also, the show has also been carried out to various high risk groups and the experience has proved highly successful, according to the valuation of its leaders of these groups."

Partners

The Directorate of Drug Dependency of the Basque Government co-finances this project.

Contact

Peter Roberts
El Teatro de Mimo

Calle Luis Pradera 29

Donostia-San Sebastián
20015
Spain

Source

Emails from Peter Roberts to The Communication Initiative on May 18 2008, May 19 2009, and May 20 2009; and El Teatro de Mimo website.


Placed on the Communication Initiative site August 04 2008
Last Updated May 21 2009



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