Making Theatre A Source for Learning, Imagination and Creativity｜DaTEAsia Vol.13

APA Citation

Neelands, J. (2024). Making theatre a source for learning, imagination and creativity [Conference Keynote]. The Journal of Drama and Theatre Education in Asia, 13(1), 9-24.

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 cocreation, 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.