What: The purpose of the WMass Social Action Theater Group is to address issues of social importance through the medium of theater. We are committed to creating quality performances for adolescent and adult learners, teachers and others.

How: The theater group develops scenarios on social themes and structures the performance so that there is audience participation at key moments in the drama. Through the simulated reality we create, the issue presented becomes more immediate and accessible to the audience. In addition, we are committed to providing training sessions on social action theater techniques and the use of theater in the classroom. These trainings are appropriate for groups of teachers and learners together or for teachers alone.

Why: We believe that through emotional awareness and empathy, theater can create a deeper understanding of the social issue and the people it affects. Our techniques can also provide multiple entry points for discussion and analysis of the problem.

Where: We have performed at many Massachusetts' educational and conference locations including:

• Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, MA
• Greenfield Community College, Greenfield, MA
• Westfield State College, Westfield, MA
• Pittsfield Adult Learning Center, Pittsfield, MA
• Simmons College, Boston, MA
• Network Conferences from 1995 - 2000, Marlborough, MA
• Hampden County Sheriff's Department, Ludlow, MA
• Read/Write/Now, Springfield, MA
• Lutheran Social Services, West Springfield, MA
• Holyoke Housing Discrimination Conference, Holyoke, MA
• Smith College, Northampton, MA

Who: We are a group of 15 performers and educators who are committed to using theater for education, social awareness and social action. We develop our work through improvisation using sound theatrical methods. The group has been in existence since 1994.