Performing Arts, Civil Society Actions, and Citizens’ Agitation

Abstract

This paper critically explores the intersection between performing arts and civil society activism, with a focus on how music, dance, and drama can effectively enhance citizens’ agitations for social change. Drawing from interpretative qualitative methodology and supported by relevant theoretical frameworks such as social capital theory and civil society engagement, the study demonstrates the multifaceted roles of the performing arts in mobilising, educating, and uniting communities. Music is shown to foster collective identity and emotional solidarity through its participatory and symbolic functions, while dance serves as a kinetic language of protest, embodying unity and resistance. Drama, particularly street theatre, is analysed as a tool for public education, symbolic expression, and active engagement. These art forms are not merely adjuncts to protests but are presented as central mechanisms for structuring, sustaining, and legitimising civic movements. Furthermore, the paper underscores the managerial dimension of artistic activism, highlighting the necessity for effective planning, audience engagement strategies, and inclusive performance practices. By transforming protest into a culturally rich and emotionally resonant experience, performing arts reduce the risk of violence and broaden the reach of civic messages. The study concludes that when thoughtfully integrated, the performing arts can transform public spaces into arenas of consciousness-raising and collective action, making them indispensable tools in contemporary advocacy. This work contributes to interdisciplinary discourse within cultural administration and theatre management by illustrating how artistic methods can be strategically leveraged for societal transformation.