14 Make your voice heard

Lockdown Monologue Challenge: Verbatim Theatre

In all the noise of scientists and politicians, there are many voices not being heard, or simply drowned out.

One of those voices is yours. I want you to feel that you are not alone, silenced or ignored.

So, I am asking for your help in creating a piece of verbatim theatre.

Verbatim theatre is a form of documentary theatre which is based on the spoken words of real people. In its strictest form, verbatim theatre-makers use real people’s words exclusively, and take this testimony from recorded interviews.

There are different approaches to this:

1. Collective voice
   • This is where everybody writes down between 3-7 words to describe their thoughts, feelings and/or experiences at the moment.
   • Between you, choose the 5 words that speak to everyone’s experience.
   • Individually, write a monologue, like a diary entry, which explores those 5 words.
   • You can take them literally, or figuratively.
   • You don’t have to use those actual words in your monologue, but you can if you want.
   • Email any ideas to me, and I will set up online rehearsals for you.
   • Once I’ve seen everybody once, I will set up a group rehearsal, so we can decide on the order to perform the monologues in.
   • It’s up to you if you want me to provide a linking commentary.
   • Once you’re ready, we’ll record the monologues via Zoom, and I will publish them online
2. Individual voice
   • Use the following set of questions as a starting point
   • How did you feel at the beginning of this period of time, for example when the school was closed to you?
   • What challenges have you been faced with?
   • Explain your different feelings: for example, what has made you feel worried/safe/angry/happy/hopeful?
   • What/who do you miss most at the moment and why?
   • How has your life changed?  How do you feel about this?
   • What is it like being a student on lockdown?
   • What do you hope for right now?
   • Decide on which order you want to address these ideas in.
   • Write your monologue.
   • Email any ideas to me, and I will set up online rehearsals for you.
   • Once I’ve seen everybody once, I will set up a group rehearsal, so we can decide on the order to perform the monologues in.
   • It’s up to you if you want me to provide a linking commentary.
   • Once you’re ready, we’ll record the monologues via Zoom, and I will publish them online

Remember, be honest. These are your words and this is your voice.