In August 2019, Bobby Smith worked with Maxwel Okuto – the Artistic Director of Amani People's Theatre – to explore theatre and peacebuilding in Kenya.

The research was made possible by an Institute for Advanced Study grant and involved Bobby and Maxwel devising a two-day, creative focus group and training session for theatre practitioners involved in peacebuilding. Using a combination of games, role-play, image theatre and group discussions, the sessions invited theatre practitioners to reflect on the challenges they face when they are part of applied theatre projects for peacebuilding. Participants also shared their own approaches to applied theatre, which incorporated the use of song, forum theatre, Sigana storytelling performance, and more.

Bobby and Maxwel travelled to run the session in three cities – Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa – connecting with local artists and organisations in each location. In total, around 60 participants attended, including from organisations such as S.A.F.E Kenya, Maseno University, Lagnet Theatre, and ZamaleoACT.

Across all three cities, some key themes emerged which highlighted the complexities of working in applied theatre and peacebuilding in Kenya.

Many practitioners were concerned that Western approaches to art and theatre were dominating, and wanted to create projects which embraced forms of art and performance specific to the rich and diverse cultures across Kenya. It also became clear that applied theatre practitioners were often working in complex contexts of conflict, and that the aspirations they have for their work to facilitate participatory and community-led approaches to peace were frustrated by a range of competing agendas. Furthermore, many practitioners stressed the need for more applied theatre networks – both locally in Kenya but also globally.

Currently, the research is informing a co-written academic article and Bobby and Maxwel are working to secure further funding to enable more in-depth explorations into applied theatre and peacebuilding and facilitate new networks and connections between practitioners