INTRODUCING INTERACTIVE RADIO DRAMA (IRD) 10 th February 2016 Ryan Borcherding

Quick Facts about Theatre for a Change London-based INGO Work in Malawi, Ghana, UK, USA Founded in 2003 Empowerment of women and girls, particularly in their sexual and reproductive health

How do we work? Behavior Change through Participatory Workshops Advocacy through Interactive and Legislative Theatre Performances Advocacy through Interactive Radio Drama

Interactive Radio Drama

Interactive Radio Drama (IRD) Target group members are trained to produce and perform their stories on radio. Audiences are given the chance to phone in to become a character in the drama, and change the behavior of this character live on-air. Drama is entirely improvised / never written down.

Interactive Radio Drama (IRD) Video link:

How the Interaction Works Step 1 – Pre-recorded drama airs Step 2 – Presenter asks audience to identify something the main character could do differently in the story Step 3 – Audience calls in and identifies moment in story where they would like to make a change Step 4 – Actors involved in selected moment come on- mic and begin improvising moment over again

How the Interaction Works Step 5 – Audience shouts “Tisinthe!” when they would like to come into the story Step 6 – Audience takes over the role of the main character and continues the scene with actors in- studio, showing what they could do differently as the main character to bring about positive change Step 7 – Audience asked to reflect on skills being used to change situation for the better – what worked / what didn’t? How did change happen?

Case Study: Malawi IRD Project

Who? 7 newly-qualified teachers trained by BBC to perform their stories on-air 1 presenter, 1 lead technician 316 listening clubs of 40 children, 20 parents, and 5 teachers 12,640 children, 6,320 parents, 1,580 teachers 144,500 regular listeners Malawi Ministry of Education, DFID, Christian Aid, UN Women, UNICEF, Concern Worldwide, Medicor

What? Weekly live broadcasts featuring original radio drama based on teachers’ real-life experiences with HIV and child protection Activity-based listening clubs where participants are given the chance to try out new behaviors in a safe and supportive environment

Where? Based in Lilongwe with nationwide broadcasting Listening clubs in schools in all 28 districts in Malawi When? Launched in March 2011 Weekly since then

Why? To improve communication about sex and HIV between teachers, students and their parents

Pilot Results 19% increase in the number of participating primary school children feeling comfortable talking about HIV and AIDS in groups. 71% increase in the number of participating primary school children feeling comfortable discussing HIV counselling and testing with someone they trust. 100% of parents and teachers feeling comfortable talking about HIV and AIDS in groups, and about HIV counselling and testing with someone they trust (an 11% and 5% increase respectively). 31% increase in the number of parents and teachers reporting that they have ever taken an HIV test. 100% of listening club facilitators reporting that their participation in the pilot project helped them practice a combination of HIV-prevention strategies.

New Partnerships Project

Launched in 2015 Develop partnerships with existing NGOs worldwide Partnerships focus on 3 areas: 1. Sustainable Behavior Change 2. Advocacy through Interactive and Legislative Theatre (ILT) 3. Advocacy through Interactive Radio Drama (IRD)

What’s on offer? Practical, hands on, 120-hour intensive training course in IRD Production and Project Management Intended for development practitioners with no background in radio or drama Training customized to meet individual organization’s needs Fully accredited by Open College Network (OCN) London

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