Community Theatre and Conflict Resolution in the Middle Belt Region: A Case Study of Plateau State

This study explores the application of community theatre as a tool for conflict resolution in selected communities in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. The Middle Belt region has experienced recurring ethno-religious violence, and community-based arts initiatives have been proposed as non-violent mechanisms for dialogue, healing, and reconciliation. The research investigates how community theatre projects have been employed in post-conflict settings to facilitate inter-communal understanding and social cohesion. Data were gathered through key informant interviews with community theatre facilitators, community leaders, and participants in peacebuilding theatre projects, supplemented by observation of facilitated drama sessions. The study finds that community theatre has created safe spaces for formerly antagonistic communities to voice grievances, explore shared experiences, and rehearse cooperative narratives. Performances that depicted mutual suffering and common aspirations were particularly effective in generating empathetic responses across ethnic lines. However, the research identifies the absence of structured follow-up as a limitation, with conflict resolution gains often temporary without sustained programmatic engagement. The study recommends that government-funded peacebuilding programmes in Plateau State incorporate community theatre as a standard methodology. Keywords: community theatre, conflict resolution, Plateau State, peacebuilding, Middle Belt Nigeria.