Inquiry Theatre

Abstract

Inquiry theatre is a form of ethnodrama that investigates core issues raised by interview data and communicates research participants’ experience with passion. Audience members work with the research team to read, discuss, and ask questions about verbatim interview texts that are also performed at the session in a reader’s theatre format. Dialogue and inquiry deepen audience members’ connection to the texts and help them enter imaginatively into research participants’ worlds. Suggestions for successful performance and a vivid analysis of the strengths and weakness of the form are offered at the conclusion.