ERASMUS+, Key action 1: training course
Dates: 26 June—3 July 2025
Venue: Issor, France
Czech team: 5 participants
Please read the info-pack.
Hosting organisation: Association La Villa
Project report:
Bonjour from France! A Journey into Participatory theatre
From the 26th of June to the 3rd of July, I had the unique opportunity to participate in an inspiring training course held in Issor, a beautiful village in the south of France. Together with youth workers and passionate individuals from across Europe, we explored the project “Breaking the Fourth Wall: Participatory Theatre for Mental Health”. The atmosphere was filled with creativity, openness, and connection from day one.
The main focus of the project was to explore how participatory theatre can be used as a powerful tool to promote social change. We were introduced to various methods such as Theatre of the Oppressed, headphone theatre, installation theatre etc. What made these methods so special was the way they invited the audience to become part of the performance – no longer just silent observers, but active participants in shaping the story. This interaction created powerful moments of empathy, emotional expression, consciousness and understanding.
Our days were full of practical workshops, peer-learning sessions, and group reflections. We shared personal experiences, challenged our comfort zones, and discovered how theatre can open doors to conversations that are often hard to start. It was a journey not only into performance but into human connection and community-building.
The highlight of the project was the final performance we prepared for the local community in Issor. Together, we co-created a participatory theatre piece, which allowed the audience to step in, reflect, and interact with the themes we explored throughout the week. The response from the local people was overwhelming – many came, watched, participated, and stayed to talk with us afterward. Their engagement and openness made us realize how important and needed these spaces for dialogue and collective healing are.
Outside of the training course, we had time to explore the peaceful beauty of Issor, share stories from our cultures, and enjoy the international environment. The connection between participants grew stronger every day – it was truly a space of friendship, support, and inspiration.
To sum it up, this project was a deep and transformative experience. It showed us how creative methods like participatory theatre can help build stronger, more empathetic communities and support mental well-being. The skills, emotions, and connections we took home will surely stay with us and grow into new projects and actions back in our countries.
Big thanks to the organizers, facilitators, and every participant who made this week unforgettable. Let’s keep breaking the fourth wall – and building bridges between people.
Štefan N.
