How to Become a Joker

The Conflict Theatre Planning Team is thrilled that so many participants have expressed interest in becoming jokers (i.e. the facilitators in Conflict Theatre and similar work). We also realize that the details of how to go about this have been unclear and we are working on developing more avenues for more advanced training.

Given the complexity of the joker’s role, limited program resources, and time constraints, we have thus far been relying on the annual summer trainings offered by David Diamond through Theatre for Living to build a solid foundation for our future jokers. After someone has taken Level 1 and 2 of Theatre for Living training, they have been considered eligible to become Conflict Theatre apprentice jokers, who receive additional training and practice through this program to step into the role. In the past, a small number of scholarships for this training have been available and we hope to provide these again in the future. The planning team is also discussing ways that we might move the foundational joker training in-house when possible and make it accessible to a greater number of people.

This would include a process wherein you could attend one Joker training course and one playbuilding course, then grow your “resume” by joking internal Conflict Theatre CoP Sessions, taking on the role of a joker for Rainbow of Desires, Cops In The Head, or Games. After employing your training in these more intimate settings, you will have built a collection of tools to prepare you for joking larger events, such as Conflict Theatre plays!

That said, we want to support your growth, so please get in touch with us at conflict.theatre@ubc.ca if you’re hoping to grow into a Joker! We can chat about options available to begin learning what it takes to be a joker with Conflict Theatre.