Project Description

ENGAGE was a civic engagement project led by The Performance Initiative (TPI), a community group dedicated to using the arts to deepen understanding of difficult social issues. The goal of the project was to investigate the lack of voting activity generated by youth in light of local and national elections in 2004. The project culminated in a three-day event at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) that included a multi-media performance and a facilitated civic dialogue with local political leaders.

On the night of the performance, transportation was arranged to take local residents to the event—picking up residents from Carver, a local impoverished neighborhood, and various churches in the community. The multi-media performance, an original script created from previous community dialogues and performed by professional actors, integrated raw film footage showing recent man-on-the-street interviews led by TPI members, asking local residents for suggestions on ways to get more youth involved in politics. Interviews from Tim Kaine, Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and Tom Bendetti, Republican City Council Candidate were also included. Afterwards, audience members had the opportunity to talk with local and national advocacy groups and learn about volunteer opportunities. Represented groups included: the Republican, Democratic, and Green parties; the Virginia Club for Growth; the ACLU of Virginia; Richmond Renaissance; Neighborhood Resource Center; Richmond Coalition for a Living Wage; Richmond Queer Space Project; Virginia League for Planned Parenthood; Richmond Peace Education Center; Students for Bush; League of Women Voters of Virginia; and The Family Foundation of Virginia. Many audience members also participated in a dialogue with local and state political leaders, including  Delegate Viola Baskerville, Democrat, who is a candidate for Virginia Lieutenant Governor; Senator John Watkins, Republican, Richmond District Ten; and Senator Benjamin J. Lambert, Democrat, Richmond District Nine.

After the performance, audience members were handed a ballot of issues being debated in the 2004 election so audience members could rank them according to their personal values. Performers also distributed sample letters to local congressmen and time was set aside for the audience to write letters. At the end of the night the letters were compiled and mailed together.

Civic Engagement/Dialogue Activities

ENGAGE was initially created and propelled by a few, small community dialogues. Though the dialogues were often geared toward the youth of Richmond, VA, word-of–mouth ultimately drew a wide range of participants—ranging from youth actively engaged in politics to those who weren’t at all. Each dialogue began with each participant sharing four things that are important to him/her. By starting in this personal way, facilitators hoped to give a more humanistic meaning to the term civic engagement. It is the belief of TPI founder, Leah Lamb, that young people have an easier time understanding what civic engagement means when they see it through the lens of what they care about. Topics elicited from this introduction varied with each group of participants; in one session, a man who had been incarcerated shared a story  which spurred a discussion on the right to vote. In another session, a fifteen-year-old girl shared her confusion about politics and her frustration that MTV, for example, doesn’t debate specific issues. After introductions, facilitators further opened discussion around civic issues by asking questions about a time when a political leader said or did something inspiring or infuriating; and what it means to be an American. Ultimately, many participants found inspiration in meeting others in their community who are pursuing leadership roles. Highlights from these dialogues, as well as footage from interviews with community members, were used as part of the multi-media performance’s script.

During the interviews with community members, local residents were asked what they would say to someone in their community who wasn’t going to vote. By including these answers into the performance, creators hoped that—by hearing one of their neighbors tell them why it’s important to vote, instead of someone famous—young audience members would be inspired and would become engaged.

The Performance Initiative is currently in the process of making a documentary about the ENGAGE project, including in-depth documentation of the artistic and civic engagement processes. They are also investigating tools which can be created in order to help other organizations’ civic engagement initiatives, such as creating a play, film, or event toolbox.