Theatre of the Lost and Found

Sharon Coyne is artistic director of Vita Nova, a community theatre group for those in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. For many years, she was also co-director of Bournemouth Theatre in Education, delivering TIE programmes across all age ranges and devising large-scaled community theatre projects. Her work with marginalised communities has included refugees, Gypsies, Travellers and excluded young people. She sees theatre as a way of celebrating those who have often been left behind and is Theatre Officer for National Drama.

“Sharon Coyne’s Theatre of the Lost and Found is a profound testament to the transformative power of applied drama. Building on the robust empirical foundation of the DICE research, Coyne skilfully interweaves her autoethnographic narrative with the journey of the Penwithen boys, her youth theatre group, from the 'shadowland' of exclusion to a 'liminal space' of hope and heroism. The book brilliantly bridges global research with heart-wrenching practice, depicting a trip to Latvia as an allegory for how drama can serve as an emotional 'passport'. Coyne's work demonstrates that drama not only builds skills, but also reclaims lost lives and fosters vital dialogue for social change.”Adam Cziboly, Professor of drama and applied theatre, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Coordinator of Theatre SPACEs (Theatre in Social, Participatory Art, Community and Educational contexts Erasmus Mundus Joint Master), Leader of the DICE research project“This unique, heart-felt study of the long-term effects of engaging with drama demonstrates with conviction and courage how much society is in need of such practices. This book is a vital resource for practitioners and academics alike. Yet its most important place should be on the shelves of every politician whose brief encompasses community development, cohesion and offering an improved life chance to the excluded and forgotten. Coyne's determination and belief shines through every page of this powerful advocacy for the key role of the applied arts in enabling human potential.”Tim Prentki, Emeritus Professor of Theatre for Development, University of Winchester, UK“Honest, brave, insightful account by a gifted applied drama practitioner about creating a play with excluded teenage boys. It’s rare to hear the reflections of participants almost two decades later and discover how the journey has affected them all. Engrossing – and a valuable contribution to debates on inclusion in education and society.”Dr Beverley Naidoo, Carnegie-winning author of The Other Side of Truth

• Chapter One: The accidental case study of a drama facilitatorChapter Two: An accidental case study of a group of anarchic boysChapter Three: FlightChapter Four: The lost boysChapter Five: GuidesChapter Six: Making sense of it allChapter Seven: LandscapeChapter Eight: Lost and found