Project dates: 27.03. – 05.04.2015

Project venue: Potsdam, Germany

Deadline for application: 26.02.2015

 

 

Clothes play a very important role in nowadays society. Most of us know that appearance matters in first impressions, but clothing can also tap into stark stereotypes of physical appearance. Children start to categorize each other already in early days according to different social or ethnical groups based on the way they dress. Clothing affects even basic visual processing systematically skewing the way people see their social world. This leads to the creation of boundaries between communities or even leads to acts of discrimination.
The team of Mostar Friedensprojekt and the participants of our recent training courses are convinced that theater methods are among the best means of youth work to counter discrimination. By spreading the knowledge of theater techniques in anti-discriminational work we want to encourage youth workers to exploit the power of theatre. This time we want to share the experience of creating theatre costumes and make-up. By doing so, participants will learn how „labeling“ caused by stereotypes of physical appearance can be reversed on stage.
 
During the training course, we will not only introduce our participants to the theoretical basics of theater costume design. We will also visit inspirational places in Berlin: alternative theatre stages, meet with professional costume designers, make-up artists and visit their ateliers. The base for our work will be the costumes and stage sets of the legendary American experimental theater stage director Robert Wilson. This will give us inspiration for our own creations, which we will actually create during the course of our training.

During our last very successful training course: “The Life Before Us: Playwriting techniques for multipliers of anti-discrimination youth work“, which was implemented in the summer of 2014 in Potsdam, we understood, how important is to make stereotypes about physical appearance a topic. The physical appearance was very important in the society through the ages. However the appearance matters not only in first impressions, but it also affects basic visual processing of other people and can easily become taping into pretty stark stereotypes of physical appearance. It leads to creation of boundaries between communities or even to acts of discrimination.

The activities of this training course focus on leading participants through a series of exercises considering the background of stereotyping of physical appearance and its forms, including institutional. It guides, regardless of background, through understanding stereotyping as a social construct that affects members of all communities, where privileges are administered to some groups and disadvantages to others. The aim of the TC is to engage participants in meaningful dialogue concerning the stereotypes and the damage, which they cause for the relationships between different social, cultural and political groups. We want to examine the roots of discrimination and establish a definition and deeper regard for its various forms. With this training course we want also to introduce participants to a new innovative method for the youth work, which will provide them with a toll to deconstruct the well-known stereotypes and discuss their meaning and background with youngsters. Theatre costume design techniques is a perfect and easy way for reversing the negative „labelling“ of people, to identify yourself within certain societal groups and to realize the stereotypes associated with those.

The main methods the trainers are going to apply in this training course are informal learning theatre techniques combined with costume design and drawing methods. Theatre as a tool for deconstructing the stereotypes and fighting against discrimination strengthens the emotional and psychological appeal of topic and provides a believable and interesting way to explore sensitive issues, particularly with young people. Joining a carefully by trainers developed educational process can change the way a person thinks and possibly the way a young person acts. In order to ensure a fruitful learning process, trainers will use a method of learning-circle. It consist of three actions of each activity: discussion – action – reflection.

The work of the training course is based on three main topics: Stereotypes and Discrimination – a theoretical framework; Historical, political and social contextualization of discrimination in Europe, Youth work realities and theatre as a tool for the youth work, and creative practices of costume drawing techniques. In addition, we will discuss the opportunities, aims and subjects of Erasmus +: Youth in Action; Projekt development and management; Future actions – development of project proposals.

 

PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS

 

  • Youth leaders and youth workers, very motivated to act in their sending organization
  • Are over 18 years old
  • Have an interest and knowledge in the topic
  • Willing to learn and motivated to share experience with others after the event
  • Are able to work in English
  • Are committed to attend for the full duration of the project

 

 

FINANCIAL DETAILS OF THE PROJECT

Food and accommodation will be covered 100%.

Travel experiences will be covered up to 275 EUR. The participant must buy their own ticket and they will be reimbursed via bank transfer after the receipt of the original travel tickets and boarding passes

 

SENDING FEE (payable to CID): 500 MKD

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: 26.02.2015

 

Apply here