Ms Freda Manweiler:

The company has developed four specific drama-based workshop models. These address anti-racism, anti-sectarianism and gender equality and use storytelling to promote reconciliation. Workshops always begin with theatre games and exercises to introduce the issue, develop creativity and confidence and prepare participants for improvisation. Improvisation, for example, on issues of racism and sectarianism, enables participants to use their bodies and emotions to put themselves into different roles and to stand in the shoes of others. Participants rehearse alternative approaches to conflict in a safe environment which they can then choose to use in their daily lives. A similar process is used in storytelling through drama workshops. Shared storytelling is a way to recognise and acknowledge the hurts that have been inflicted and explore the idea that my truth is not necessarily another's truth. By listening to other people's stories, participants are hearing about a different reality to their reality.

Smashing Times supports cross-Border, cross-community arts projects and believes they are key to long-term and lasting reconciliation between communities. The arts play a powerful role in discussing divisions that still exist and how we move forward in respect of dealing with the legacy of violence, addressing issues around flags, emblems, parades and protests as well as the fact that sectarianism, racism and gender inequality still exist. They raise questions on how we can express our identities while respecting the identities of others.

One striking feature of our work is that when we first work with a group, they hold an initial belief that racism and sectarianism does not exist in their community. However, through the process of the workshop and performances, people gain a deeper understanding of its presence and need to be alert to it. Recently, I worked with a group in Craigavon. When we went in initially, the young people said there was no racism or sectarianism in their communities and that it did not exist. However, during the workshop, one young Catholic girl, 15 or 16 years of age, said that she went out with a Protestant but she felt intimidated when it came to going into his estate. She said he was also intimidated when it came to going to GAA events at which she socialised with her family. Her view was that both sets of parents felt that the relationship was not necessarily a good thing. She said that in future she would not go out with a Protestant because it was too difficult. This is the view expressed by a young girl who has grown up post-Good Friday Agreement. Certain issues need to be addressed, including the issue of expression of culture, gatekeepers, fear of paramilitaries, the so-called peace walls and interface violence.