Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111168

Virginia Thompson Guidry, MPH¹, Carolyn E. Crump, PhD¹, Richard Robeson¹, and Lynice Ramsey Williams². (1) Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, CB#7506, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7506, 919-843-1479, Ginger_Guidry@unc.edu, (2) North Carolina Fair Share, 3824 Barrett Drive Suite 312, Raleigh, NC 27609

Introduction: Addressing environmental health problems frequently involves collaboration between community members, researchers, attorneys, and government officials. The NIEHS-funded “Exchange Project” is developing an educational campaign to facilitate dialogue among these groups - especially when environmental injustices have occurred in communities of color. One method under development is Readers' Theater which promotes staged readings of scripts about environmental health issues and research followed by facilitated dialogue.

Methods: UNC staff collaborated with NC Environmental Justice Network, Land Loss Prevention Project, and NC Fair Share to identify script themes related to environmental justice issues, drawing from community testimony, professional experience and survey results. A script-development team defined educational goals, target audiences, and reviewed draft scripts prepared by a professional writer. The team then coordinated a series of pilot performances.

Results: Three scripts have been written and several more outlined. Early pilot-testing demonstrated the utility of the theatric experience to trigger discussion. Additional pilots include high school, undergraduate and graduate students. A Readers' Theater Troupe of ten performers has been established. Planning is in process to perform staged readings for universities, professional conferences, political assemblies, and public events. Project partners have benefited from the use of a structured script-planning process to ensure goals, audiences, and key environmental issues are systematically addressed by the scripts.

Conclusion: The development of Reader's Theater is a unique opportunity for community members and university staff to benefit from collaboration. Staged readings and discussions from Readers' Theater provide important educational opportunities for promoting awareness of environmental health issues and research.

Learning Objectives:

2. Articulate the advantages of using Readers’ Theater as a method to stimulate discussion between diverse professionals and communities.
4. Describe the process that can be applied to develop a Readers’ Theater script and facilitator’s guide around a health issue.
6. Assess the utility of Readers’ Theater as an educational tool in the participant’s own work.

Keywords: Environmental Justice, Health Education Strategies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.