Abstrakt
This paper emerges from the observation that the vast potential of theatrical tools is underused in the realm of conflict and peace studies. The contributions of social theatre are under increasing exploration in conflict transformation and peacebuilding processes. However, participatory theatre's aptitude to (de)construct living experiences and explore how mundane peaceful relations are achieved and maintained remains neglected, notably in its catalysing role for collective discussion of social narratives and their everyday enactment. Concerned with how shared understandings and cooperation emerges among individuals and groups, this paper discusses initial findings from participatory theatre workshops, conducted with individuals in migration at a social integration centre in Geneva (Switzerland). It assembles theoretical and applied aims, inspired by Galtung's
(1969) commentaries on intra-personal conflict, Möller's (2019) consideration of everyday peace, as well as Fox and Salas' (1975) playback theatre methods. As a result, it offers a glimpse of rituals, gestures and other non- discursive social constructs, thereby analysing the enabling adeptness of theatre to put mechanisms of peaceful relations in motion. Most importantly, this research empowers communities with research frames, which permit them to build confidence and exchange social resources, necessary for reflecting, critiquing and expressing their realities.