Health Drama ProductionsPrevious Health Related Projects
DOMINIC RAI
2009 FORCED MARRIAGES
Writer and Director on "Her Choice, Your Duty to Protect" in response to the 2008 Forced Marriage legislation. A DVD has been developed for training and development purposes for the UK police. This work was commissioned by Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). The DVD is to be launched at an international conference this October.
2008 DIABETES
Artistic Director appointed by Surtal Asian Arts for developing a docu-drama about diabetes, Gurh Nalo Ishq Mitha (Love is sweeter than sugar) which was aimed at the South Asian community. This project was commissioned by Derby City PCT. I devised and led the process and managed both the cast and crew. We performed the play in six community venues. We stimulated both potential audience and health professionals using a targeted marketing strategy; using BBC Radio, local press and eye catching life size cardboard models, which promoted each venue on the night of the performance. We further engaged our audience with “on the night” participatory activities. We organised visiting dieticians, a podiatrist and several health professionals who carried out blood sugar testing. As a result, an encouraging 20% of our audience took the diabetes test on the night and 25% of those tested were referred to their GP for further investigations.
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Gurh Nalo Ishq Mitha was one of the 2009 Regional Finalists (East Midlands) for the Health and Social Care Awards under the category of 'Reducing Health Inequalities' |
"I attended Gurh Nalo Ishq Mitha (Love is Sweeter than Sugar) about Type 2 diabetes in the Hindu Temple in Derby. This play was performed in Panjabi and English. It was excellent in raising awareness with sensitivity and humour. It is a great example of how we can convert our strategic priorities of awareness and education into action in communities that need it most." Douglas Smallwood, Chief Executive Diabetes UK
"The production raised the issue of diabetes in a creative powerful way. To see elderly Asian women leaning forward, gripped by dialogue. nodding to each other was a vindication of the actors." Gersh Subhra, University of Derby
2004 SEXUAL HEALTH
Writer and Director for Sexpressions, a play about sexual health. This was commissioned by Reading Arts and Youth Service
1997 MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL ISOLATION
Writer and Director for Kya Haal Hai? (How are you Keeping?). This groundbreaking theatre campaign was the first ever performed In Urdu/Hindi. The play was aimed at Asian elders on the theme of mental illness/isolation. Commissioned by Age Concern Southwark and Camberwell Community Health Council.
“It is the first theatre campaign of its kind to use Hindi / Urdu to reach South Asian elders.” Eastern Eye
"Now you work with us and we will take part in the drama!” Older woman from the Awaz group in Southwark
1996 THE DANGERS OF COMMON SENSE
Writer and Director for The Dangers of Common Sense. This was a touring play about HIV & sexual health aimed at young people. It was commissioned by Black and Asian Sexual Health Project, South East London and Reading Council (Arts and Youth Service).
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“The performance was excellent and very much appreciated by the audience…it was the best Theatre in Education they had ever had in the college.” Fiona Sawney, Croydon Community Health /John Rowlands, Director of Students |
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“It proved to reach its target in raising awareness with young people - as one young man put it ‘money well spent’.” Manjeet Hear, Youth & Community Worker, Hounslow
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PARAMJIT OBEROI
Vast experience of using drama within the context of community development. Experienced group worker facilitator. Story telling, script writing, developing scenarios, role playing are methods which I have used in engaging and empowering people. Acting role in a number of community drama productions.
2009 LIFESTYLE BEHAVIOURS AND OBESITY
Completed a stepUP programme, a training and development programme for BME artists. Worked on a project about Obesity and developed a drama Fat Slob which covered topics such as lifestyle, behaviours and the health impact of being obese.
2008 DIABETES
Researcher and assistant director appointed by Surtal Asian Arts for a bilingual play called Gurh Nalo Ishq Mitha raising the awareness of diabetes amongst the South Asian communities. I was also a member of the cast team in this play.
2007 INTERACTIVE PROJECT
Commissioned to do an interactive drama project, its aim to encourage Asian girls to get involved with drama.
2007 MENTAL HEALTH
Facilitated workshops for South Asian women who had experiences as service users of the Mental Health Service. Drama and role play was used as a therapeutic process to enable discussion. This project was commissioned by Derby Playhouse
2007 DRUGS
Facilitated focus groups with Black and Asian drug users, the findings were used to develop a production called Gold to Dust. This was performed at the Nottinghamshire County Offices in 2007. This project attracted further funding from several stakeholders for developmental work.
2006 DEEP IN THE FROZEN NIGHT
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Stills from Deep in the Frozen Night performed at the Theatre Royal Nottingham in 2006. The play was performed in Mirpuri and English. "The best thing about drama /theatre is its ability to stimulate and generate new ideas and challenge people’s views and that often means asking difficult questions of our communities". Ms Reham (play writer) |
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"the touching stories have reduced the audience to tears" "the use of humour in really serious issues was commended and appreciated" "amazing risks were taken in making explicit issues which generally are not talked about because of their sensitivity" |
2005 SOCIAL HEALTH AND CULTURE2002 SEXUAL ABUSE
Acting part in a drama called Bad Medicine, focussing on sexual abuse within the Asian community and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe festival.
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