Lights, Camera, ACT-Bangladesh!

Md Abdur Razzaq, a Lecturer at the Department of Theatre of Tagore University of Creative Arts, has always advocated for the environment. He believes that there is a way to find divinity in nature, so he believes in respecting the environment. 

Even though the planet belongs to everyone, conversations around the environment only circulate among a very limited group—the elite academics gathered in seminars.  Ultimately, people the primary victims of climate change would be left out of the conversation, and this did not sit quite well with Razzaq. 

On 26 January, Razzaq took a step toward combining his two passions and launched Bangladesh's first-ever theatre organisation dedicated to climate change, ACT-Bangladesh, also known as Applied Climate Theatre Bangladesh. 

The troupe was launched through the performance of the play, 'Drought in the Fate of Farmers', a story about farmers' struggles in a changing climate penned by eco-playwright Nazrul Sayed.

Similarly, to their launch, the troupe unites performance arts with climate awareness, action, and advocacy. The organisation aims to educate and engage communities about climate change to inspire them to make meaningful decisions for the environment. 

However, theatre remains on unsteady waters as it is. We sat down with Razzaq to understand how the troupe will navigate through the space, their aims, and how they plan on executing their goals.

One of the primary goals of ACT-Bangladesh is to spread awareness about climate change throughout Bangladesh, including working at a grassroots level. Razzaq explains how he wants to reach the people who suffer the most from climate change and raise awareness. 

ACT- Bangladesh will engage in research based on particular areas. They will then integrate their findings into their art, creating a relatable experience for the audience. Additionally, the troupe intends to adapt their plays to the local dialects of the locations they plan to perform to create a seamless experience for the audience

To create change, the troupe does not solely rely on performance. Rather, the organisation plans on doing workshops, seminars, research work, and health programs, and integrating their findings into their performances. 

But why depend on theatre out of all avenues to relay information about climate change?

While speaking with Razzaq, repeats one phrase "You cannot put pressure on people while speaking to them from the outside."

He elaborates how people from different socio-economic levels might not feel invested in the environment when their immediate concerns are about surviving, especially when the majority of the conversations surrounding the matter are usually reserved for the elite. 

Razzaq explains how theatre acts as a mediator, making the conversation of climate change much more accessible and relatable for everyone. 

Furthermore, the troupe's strength lies in its eleven-member team. 

"The team members are all involved with the cause in one way or another, be it climate research or journalism, and so on. Our diverse team has the power to resonate with people on the root level," shared Razzaq.

Moreover, to achieve their goal, Razzaq shared that the troupe will engage in research based on particular areas. They will then integrate their findings into their art, creating a relatable experience for the audience. Additionally, the troupe intends to adapt their plays to the local dialects of the locations they plan to perform to create a seamless experience for the audience.  

Additionally, the troupe also has a legal consultant so that they can find ways to integrate relevant findings into rules and regulations, reflecting how the troupe takes action alongside raising awareness.

However, he makes one thing clear—the environment-focused troupe is very different from the theatre acts that we see on stage.

"ACT-Bangladesh is not like a traditional theatre troupe. It is not meant to provide entertainment, rather, our goal is to go to targeted areas, understand their specific issues, and to create a dialogue about the environment," shared Razzaq. 

In other words, the troupe's challenges will be unique as it does not look at the industry in the same way. 

As ACT-Bangladesh's work deals more with welfare rather than entertainment, it does not remain too concerned about audience demand or production cost. 

"Those involved in traditional theatre as a professional entertainment medium might struggle with its stability. However, that's not our purpose," he explained.

"Unlike traditional theatre, which is often grand with elaborate lighting, costumes, and stage effects, climate theatre doesn't rely on these elements. Instead, it focuses on the message, what people learn from it, and the cause it represents," shared Razzaq.

ACT-Bangladesh also plans on performing their shows out in the open air rather than in theatre halls. This decision is as functional as it is meaningful for the troupe. 

Performing in the open allows the audience to experience the atmosphere as the troupe explores climate change, creating an immersive experience. 

Furthermore, it allows the troupe to function under different conditions. It allows the shows to be cost-efficient, allowing flexibility to perform their shows anywhere. One of the main aims for the troupe is to reach different communities throughout Bangladesh, and being able to rely on street performance will aid their goal. 

The troupe also plans to work on an international level as well with Global Climate Action Partners such as Lancashire Arts Network for Developing Sustainability (LANDS) and Ergon Theatre. 

Highlighting how Bangladesh is one of the victims of climate change, Razzaq hopes that the troupe will be able to make the voice of the South be heard by the West through theatre. 

However, the troupe's biggest hurdle at the moment is finances. While the troupe has adapted to remain flexible in its endeavours, the expenses come from their own pockets. Though the troupe is still in its early stages, Razzaq remains optimistic, emphasising how his ultimate goal remains the benefit of the planet.