The Sex Ed Playbook: Participatory Theatre for Health Education

This Playbook articulates the need for innovative, arts-based strategies in sexuality education and positions participatory theatre as a tool for cultivating empowering, inclusive, and imaginative learning environments. This book is both a theoretical model and a practical guide: we outline vital context and best practices in participatory theatre, as well as over 40 different activities for use in educational and community contexts. Organized around critical topics in health justice, and aligned with the National Sexuality Education Standards, our participatory theatre model invites students to learn through pleasure, an exploration of diverse perspectives, opportunities for practice, and a shared sense of power. We call these the "4 Ps"of participatory theater, and in combination these elements uniquely activate the creative potential of sexuality education spaces. This book is for health workers, organizers, teaching artists, educators, youth and community advocates, or anyone seeking strategies to increase participation in their programs, create brave and innovative spaces for sexuality education, and facilitate positive sexual health outcomes.