Performative Criminology and the “State of Play” for Theatre with Criminalized Women

Elise Merrill and Sylvie Frigon
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Elise Merrill: Department of Criminology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
Sylvie Frigon: Department of Criminology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada

Societies, 2015, vol. 5, issue 2, 1-19

Abstract: This article applies feminist theory with cultural criminology to explore the role of theatre in the lives of criminalized women. Theatre initiatives for criminalized populations are growing worldwide, and so we are seeking to better understand how these two realms intersect. This article is based on a case study which was conducted at the Clean Break Theatre Company in London, England in the summer of 2013. We explore some of the emerging themes, which took shape from a thematic analysis. First we describe how theatre can be used as a lens into the experiences of criminalized women, and then as a tool for growth in their lives. The role of environment at Clean Break, and the role of voice from practicing theatre in a women-only environment are then discussed. Lastly, the roles of transformation and growth overall for the participants are explored in relation to their experiences with theatre practices. This article works to understand how theatre practices can elevate and adapt cultural criminology into a new form of imaginative criminology, and questions how we can embrace this form of engagement between theatre and criminology within a Canadian context.

Keywords: theatre initiatives; criminalized women; arts-based practices; Clean Break Theatre Company; interdisciplinary research; feminist framework; imaginative criminology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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