TREES PROJECT

A project funded by European Union which aims to to further develop and transfer at the European level a method of raising environmental awareness through the use of theatre.

ABOUT US

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

– Nelson Henderson

BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

In a period where the consequences of climate and environmental change are increasingly evident, the raising of environmental awareness is an issue that becomes more and more important. Community groups and local authorities use different channels in order to promote environmental awareness of the general population such as social media campaigns, education programs, advertisements, documentaries, local events etc. Culture, and especially theatre, has not played a major role in this process of raising the environmental awareness until now.

In the USA and Canada there have been developed initiatives such as Climate Change Theatre Action but similar initiatives in Europe are rare.

However, research has shown that environmental knowledge can drive environmental behavior only if it arouses environmental emotions. Culture and especially theatre has the ability to arise emotions and allow for a more in-depth and lasting transformation of attitudes and perspectives.

The potential of theatre to change the behavior and the attitudes of the audience is much more important for the groups of people that have not been sensitized yet in issues such as climate change. Not any kind of theatre can reach these people. A theatre that aims to raise environmental awareness also for groups of people not sensitized yet needs to be able to organize outdoor performances in public spaces, free of charge, in order to reach as wider audience, as possible, and needs to include intended audience and passers-by.

NEEDS OF THE PROJECT

On the one hand, given the potential of theatre to raise awareness on environmental issues and stimulate a more active stance towards climate change challenges, as described also in the previous section, there is a societal need, to increase the active role of theatre in the fight against climate change.

On the other hand, theatre organisations do not have the necessary tools and approaches in order to stimulate positive climate-related action. Climate related issues are sometimes perceived as complex and difficult to communicate through traditional storytelling methods. In a 2016 article for The Guardian, theatre director Katie Mitchell notes that “Theatre has struggled to find a way of representing climate change”.

As it is explained in an article focusing on the relation between theatre and positive climate action “what’s missing today is that crucial link between the stage and real-life efforts to demand justice”.

Therefore, there is a need to create, adapt and transfer methods, approaches and tools that would facilitate theatre to influence environmental sustainability. There is a need to transfer a method that will be open, engaging and will address people that do not belong to the traditional theatre audience.