Applied Theatre: Development - Essential Guide for Practitioners

In this review of Applied Theatre: Development the authors Tim Prentki, Sheila Preston and Michael Balfour present a clear, compact introduction to theatre for development that suits both students and active practitioners. The book's biggest strength is its balanced combination of practical orientation and critical reflection, making it an indispensable companion for anyone wanting a concise overview of origins, principles and political issues in the field. Readers seeking a single accessible text that covers global contexts and theoretical debate will find the book particularly useful.

Key Features

• Comprehensive overview: The book surveys the origins and history of theatre for development across Western, African, Asian, Indian Subcontinent and Latin American contexts to provide essential context for practice.
• Theoretical framing: A dedicated chapter on theoretical and philosophical issues helps readers connect practical work to contemporary politics and critical debate.
• Accessible style: Written in a concise and approachable tone, the text is designed to be used by newcomers and experienced practitioners alike without dense academic jargon.
• Dual purpose: Functions both as a guide book and a provocation, offering practical insight alongside questions that encourage critical reassessment of methods and goals.
• Educational value: Structured for students, the book is suitable as core reading on applied theatre courses and for independent learning by theatre makers and community workers.

Who It's For

This book is best for students studying applied theatre, development practitioners who integrate performance into community or education projects, and academics seeking a concise survey of the field. Its compact, readable chapters make it a practical classroom or field reference for course work and project preparation.

Those who want exhaustive case studies or detailed step-by-step workshop plans may need to supplement this with practice manuals or region-specific reports, since the text emphasizes principles, history and theoretical debate over lengthy procedural guides.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear historical and geographic overview that orients readers to global practice contexts.
• Balances practical guidance with critical reflection, useful for both teaching and practice.
• Concise chapters make the book easy to navigate for classroom assignments or quick reference.

Cons

• Limited in procedural detail, so readers seeking exhaustive workshop curricula will want additional manuals.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Applied Theatre: Development is a concise, high-value introduction ideal for students and practitioners who need a reliable overview of the field and its debates. Its combination of historical breadth and thoughtful theoretical questioning makes it a worthwhile first purchase, though those requiring detailed workshop protocols should pair it with practical manuals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover non-Western practices?
Yes. It includes overviews of theatre for development in Africa, Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Latin America alongside Western contexts.

Is the book suitable for classroom use?
Yes. Its concise chapters and clear structure make it appropriate for students and core reading on applied theatre courses.

Will I find step-by-step workshop plans inside?
The book focuses on principles, history and theory rather than exhaustive procedural guides, so supplement with manuals for detailed curricula.