South Africa

In South Africa, street theater was used to raise awareness to health causes such as Aids or HIV virus and how certain behaviors promote the increase of the virus[1]. Puppet shows were performed in the streets to educate the public of how deadly contracting aids or HIV virus is. The show consisted of the main character having aids and transmitting the disease to others, which ultimately lead to the death of the character and the other people would then have aids or HIV virus as well[2].Having these performances played in public will raise awareness to the deadly virus, that many people may not have had knowledge of. It educated the audience about risks, and how to avoid them with safer behaviors they could do to prevent contracting the virus. It also educated the viewers with different, and safer behaviors to use in order to stop transmitting and sharing the virus with others[3]. This awareness could work to increase the knowledge of the deadly virus, and educate the pubic with methods to decrease the transmutation of the disease however, it was recorded that it was only performed once[4].

Peru In Peru, street theater was used to raise awareness of the many misconceptions of family planning and use of contraceptives. The play "Ms. Rumors" was performed as method to promote greater understanding of the truths about contraceptives and planned parenthood[5]. The play told the audience the truths about contraceptives through a pharmacist character, which in turn condracticted the false claims that the character Ms.Rumors suggested.[6], the play lasted around four months and it was around twenty minutes long. The performance was followed by a forum to discuss any questions the audience had about parent planning, which worked better than private counseling since people would have support of their peers, and the answers would educate the entire group. The play "Ms. Rumors" focused on the information that is usually misinformed about birth control pills or "the pill". One of the rumors about birth control pills is that it can cause side effects such as cancer, which is false[7]. The public play was placed in the city plazas and also outside of hospitals and clinics where people are possibly going to receive information bout parent planning and contraceptives. The significance of this play was that it promoted safe sex information that protects against unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases that can be caused by unprotected sex. It educated the public against ideas such as condoms being uncomfortable, contraceptives producing abortions, and many other misconceptions that were made up due to lack of knowledge of contraceptives and family planning[8].

  1. ^ Skinner, D., Metcalf, C. A., Seager, J. R., DeSwardt, J. S., & Laubscher, J. A. (1991). An evaluation of an education programme on HIV infection using puppetry and street theater. AIDS Care, 3(3), 317±329
  2. ^ Skinner, D., Metcalf, C. A., Seager, J. R., DeSwardt, J. S., & Laubscher, J. A. (1991). An evaluation of an education programme on HIV infection using puppetry and street theater. AIDS Care, 3(3), 317±329
  3. ^ Valente, T. W., Poppe, P. R., Alva, M. E., Vera de BricenÄo, R., & Cases, D. (1995). Street theater as a tool to reduce family planning misinformation. International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 15, 279±290.
  4. ^ Valente, T. W., Poppe, P. R., Alva, M. E., Vera de BricenÄo, R., & Cases, D. (1995). Street theater as a tool to reduce family planning misinformation. International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 15, 279±290.
  5. ^ Valente, T. W., Poppe, P. R., Alva, M. E., Vera de BricenÄo, R., & Cases, D. (1995). Street theater as a tool to reduce family planning misinformation. International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 15, 279±290.
  6. ^ Valente, T. W., Poppe, P. R., Alva, M. E., Vera de BricenÄo, R., & Cases, D. (1995). Street theater as a tool to reduce family planning misinformation. International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 15, 279±290.
  7. ^ Valente, T. W., Poppe, P. R., Alva, M. E., Vera de BricenÄo, R., & Cases, D. (1995). Street theater as a tool to reduce family planning misinformation. International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 15, 279±290.
  8. ^ Valente, T. W., Poppe, P. R., Alva, M. E., Vera de BricenÄo, R., & Cases, D. (1995). Street theater as a tool to reduce family planning misinformation. International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 15, 279±290.