(cardboard citizens a, no date)
Cardboard Citizens is an applied theatre company that work with homeless and those at risk in and around London people to create theatre. Founded in 1991 they have been making life-changing theatre with and for the homeless. They create theatre that makes a difference to the society and those living within its margins. Their longevity in the field of applied theatre has helped them to gain the trust and respect of the homeless. (cardboard citizens b, no date)
The company reaches over 1400 at risk and homeless people every single year. They create and present plays that are performed by homeless people for homeless audiences, as well as professional productions to raise awareness and understanding of homelessness. (thebiggive.org.uk, no date)
Cardboard Citizens tells stories that need to be told using theatre productions performed on stage, streets, in hostels and prisons. They are a creative hub for excluded people and their workshops, training and support helps to build confidence, sense of community and skills. They are renowned for their Forum Theatre and storytelling expertise. Their productions, training and consultancy draws people from across the world to share in the power of theatre.
Their website provides videos that helps to raise awareness of homelessness – https://www.cardboardcitizens.org.uk/
Their mission is to use theatre along with guidance and support to help those in need. From reading their mission statement it is obvious that Cardboard Citizens key purpose is to create a change – that is political, social and personal – in the lives of both homeless and marginalised people and change the way they are perceived within society. This suggests that as a company they have chosen to put their participants needs first – which is something they value highly – and that their work is led by those they are trying to help. They are motivated to create change for both their participants and others who may be living in similar situations.
According to The Ethics of Applied Drama (2003) moral values are the underlying humane values informing the choices and the implementations of the programmes teaching artists and funding bodies make. A company’s moral values will have a direct impact on their work and the programmes they run.
The company values helping others in any way possible. This is done through their providing of both emotional and financial support. They provide their participants with transport to and from the workshops as well as the opportunity to greater their qualifications. As a company they provide their participants with a sense of comfort, warmth and support in a creative and rewarding environment.
Taylor (2003) states that there is a genuine concern that an applied theatre programmes could place its participants into a damaging emotional state. With regards to Cardboard Citizens I feel that the fact that their idea to closely approach a very sensitive topic could become a weakness for them as a company. However, I believe that they are using this to their advantage by using the personal experience of their participants to create theatre for the public that can effectively make changes to the lives of homeless people.
(cardboard citizens, 2016)
Applied Drama 