Beyond the Masks

These vignettes were performed and workshopped at Kennesaw State University. Music for Mirror scene was generously supplied by Rafael Gato Fuentes at http://www.dramasound.com/. Music for the three dance scenes are under license  from http://www.freeplaymusic.com/.

Published in:

Norris, J., Alvarez McHatton, P., An, S., Davis, C., Ford, J., Guerra, P., Her, L., McDonald, B., Ritchie, S. (2018). Towards an understanding of inclusion through the playbuilding of ‘Beyond the Masks’. In M. J. Harkins & S. Singer (Eds.), Educators on Diversity, Social Justice and Schooling: A Reader. (pp. 141-177). Canadian Scholars’ Press. Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press.

Sohyun An, Corrie Davis, Jillian Ford, Paula Guerra, Leena Her, Patty Alvarez McHatton, Joe Norris, Scott Ritchie

Voices on multiculturalism and “othering”. What do you hear, and what do you feel?

Inclusion, acceptance and the role of individuality are explored in group dance. How do you interpret what you are seeing here?

How clear are we communicating when it is not quite so clear how clear we are being heard. What was the real issue here and what does this mean about the perception of being heard?

Teaching and instruction as agents of conformity. What does it really mean to be “included” and how are educators being co-oped into this agenda?

Social naivety, context and culture all interact. How does assumption and “othering” play a role in framing discussions?

Sometimes real, sometimes fake, sometimes, mood, sometimes culture. How do we say hello and what on earth does it really mean?

Identities. Where do they come from. Who is in control of them and what does it mean to really be yourself?

Exploring how emphasis on one set of differences sets up for more dialogue on further differences. Can learning more about each other drive us apart? Or do you see it that these characters will become close?

Who are the gatekeepers? Who gives them power, and who here has a voice?

Two approaches, one class. What happens when interjections arise?

Exploring tone and meaning. What do you hear? What do learn from what you can hear?

A reflection on moments spent on the outside. Can we relate to these stories, not on the basis of halving lived them but on the basis of having too been once on the outside?

Voices on multiculturalism and “othering”. What do you hear, and what do you feel?

Inclusion, acceptance and the role of individuality are explored in group dance. How do you interpret what you are seeing here?