Enacting justice: theatre as a means for transitional justice

Abstract

The article depicts theatre as a means for transitional justice as it is capable of mending the links undone by different forms of violence and crisis. Theatre leans on physical presence of the actor for inviting memory back. Theatre gives back the speech and trust that are the basis for new bonds. Relying on autoethnography and other qualitative methods, the article analyses the use of theatre by humanitarian organizations; the use of theatre during and after the Truth Commission audiences in Peru; and the author’s personal experience with the Theatre of Transformation Academy.