Applied Theatre vs Social Theatre: What’s the Difference?

Описание: A respectful myth-busting guide with examples, overlap maps, and the Italian “teatro sociale” lens.

People use “Applied Theatre” and “Social Theatre” like they mean the same thing, until a student asks for a definition and everything gets blurry. This video is a practical, respectful myth-busting guide for mixed audiences: students, educators, facilitators, and practitioners.

We cover:

Clear definitions of Applied Theatre (AT) and Social Theatre (ST), without ranking either term

Two helpful “layers”: why AT became a widely used academic umbrella, and how Italian terms like teatro sociale and teatro sociale e di comunità sharpen the ST lens

Three relationship maps (ST inside AT, AT inside ST, and overlap/Venn)

Clean examples of each term, plus the crossover zone where the best work often lives

A simple 4-question checklist you can use to describe any project clearly

Key thinkers referenced include Richard Schechner, James Thompson, Guglielmo Schininà, Elektra Tselikas, and Michael Balfour, alongside Italian scholarship that has helped articulate teatro sociale traditions.

If you’re studying: notice how different authors define the terms before you argue with them. If you’re practising: describe your ethics and your method first, then choose the label that helps your audience understand.

Find out more on the Actionwork Website: www.actionwork.com