PublicSpectacle.org / Public Spectacles /

What are Public Spectacles?

Originally, Public Spectacle used a street-theater approach by 'staging' incidents that demonstrated abusive behavior in public spaces, hence creating "Public Spectacles". For safety reasons, this usually took the form of performing a rap dialogue at open mics, on radio, at conferences and at events geared towards violence prevention. This was extremely effective and soon gave way to us creating a program where we'd enter domestic violence shelters. The format was simple: we'd perform for them and then do a workshop where women could hash out some of their frustrations about their situations through artistic expression, resulting in the creation of more dialogue, songs, poetry and performance art. Everywhere we worked, people wanted more of what we do. At the same time:

• We realize there are lots of other good organizations scattered over the globe who are doing similar street theater work

• We can't be everywhere doing these little, cool, organic things and make the kind of impact we're aiming for

We anticipate our niche in the global campaign to stop intimate partner violence by producing Public Spectacles that can be accessed on the web by anybody at anytime.

What Spectacles can do:

• Provide an out-of-the-box way for people to see and think about relationship violence by using performance that is engaging and sheds new light on a taboo issue.

• Challenge/deconstruct cultural norm messaging that can condition and desensitize people to the problem. Example: Jealous and controlling behavior means that your partner “cares about you”.

• Be used by other existing entities that already have very good programs, but seek innovative and creative tools to extend their outreach and advocacy efforts.

• Provide public "Spectacles" that ultimately takea mainstream media approach in challenging harmful messages conveyed through music, movies, and other forms of media that contribute to the problem of IPV by disrespecting women, lowering self-esteem, and encouraging men to resolve problems through violence.

• Create a public service announcement for existing services and organizations. As we partner with these groups to deliver our Public Spectacles, we pair the act of providing education with providing referrals to people who have never considered that they may be in an abusive relationship and/or need support and resources.