Multicultural Health Awareness Peer Program
Contents: Public Health in Practice Interactive Theatre At-A-Glance Performances History Join MAPP Frequently Asked Questions Download Info Sheet Application (Deadline: August 22, 2008)

Public Health in Practice!
The Multicultural Health Awareness Peer Program (MAPP) is a theatre-based health education course. We explore how different communities and cultures experience health issues. From there, we develop original performances for on-campus and community audiences. Entertaining and creative, we strive to uniquely communicate health concerns through performance.

Interactive Theatre: The Forum
The primary style of theatre used by MAPP is Forum Theatre. Developed by Augusto Boal, Forum Theatre is an approach to performance that asks the audience to become active participants. In MAPP, we perform each scene to the point of conflict. At this point, we ask the audience what they think the characters should do next. We then act out the suggestions. Through a series of exercises and questions, audience members eventually replace the actors on stage and actually show what they would do.

The goal of this form of theatre is two-fold. First, life is full of many shades of gray. No one approach is completely right or completely wrong. Forum theatre allows us the opportunity to explore what can happen in any given situation. Second, by stepping into the shoes of the characters, audience members get the chance to practice what they would do in that situation. Theatre becomes rehearsal for everyday life.

MAPP At-A-Glance

Course: Public Health 198
Course Time: Wednesday 5-7pm (Required)
Course Credit: 2 units, P/NP
Commitment: One Semester (Both Semesters Recommended)
Enrollment: Application Required (Download application here.)
Application Deadline: August 22, 2008

MAPP Performances

MAPP performs primarily for classes, living centers and organizations on the UC Berkeley campus. We periodically perform at local high schools, youth programs and organizations throughout the Bay Area as well.

MAPP History

MAPP began as the Multicultural AIDS/HIV Peer Program created in 1989 by eight UC Berkeley students concerned with the rapidly increasing HIV infection rates and culturally narrow prevention programs targeting people of color. As one of the peer education programs sponsored by Health Promotion, MAPP has evolved into the Multicultural Health Awareness Peer Program in order to address a myriad of health and social justice issues through education, entertainment and empowerment.

Join MAPP

Applications for MAPP are currently being accepted. The deadline to submit a MAPP application is August 22, 2008. (Download application here.)

For more information contact:
Joseph Griffin, Program Coordinator
University Health Services
(510) 643-9089

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need acting experience?
  No acting experience is needed for MAPP, only a positive attitude and willingness to try new things. All personalities and levels of experience are welcomed, whether that is in acting or in the health field.
• What is the time commitment?
  Class attendance is required. Occasionally, performances occur outside of class. We work together to create a schedule that gives everyone an opportunity to participate in performances throughout the semester.
  

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