Positive Knowledge was a comprehensive participatory Drama in Education programme which examined perceptions of HIV/AIDS. It consisted of two workshops for up to 15 participants who could follow-up what they learned with their youth workers and teachers through an extensive support pack supplied as part of the programme.
The first workshop explored the knowledge the young people already had about HIV/AIDS and helped clear up any misconceptions. The workshop also touched on issues related to the ways in which people with HIV/AIDS are treated. The second workshop used role play to interrogate the social aspects of the virus and the treatment those with the virus receive from government and society.
Jenny Sealey was an actor and member of the Half Moon Theatre’s young people’s company in the 1980s. She talks about Positive Knowledge, a pioneering schools project about sexual health in the wake of HIV/AIDS. Interviewed by Rosie Vincent.
David Belshaw joined Half Moon Young People’s Theatre in 1990 as a workshop leader on a project called Positive Knowledge, a programme about HIV/AIDS, which attempted to counteract the negative messages about sex at the time, as well as exploring gender politics and positive relationships. Interviewed by Rio Puffett.
Head of Drama at St Paul’s Way Trust School:
Many thanks for enabling my group to experience the two excellent workshops/presentations on HIV/AIDS brought into the school by the Half Moon Theatre Health Programme. The two performers were skilled and sensitive in both the handling of the material and the pupils and the programme was of special significance to the mixed group of young people they worked with; mixed racially, sexually and religiously. Thanks again for a fascinating and informative experience.
I thought the people were very brave to come in, because it was their first time running the workshop and teaching a group. I think it should be taught more often.
I think the workers were very brave coming and doing it with us. It was very useful and everybody should be taught this information.
I thought the workshop was interesting and I learnt a lot of things that I didn’t know about.
I thought the workshop was good the way they worked with us and set up everything.
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