The Living Newspaper 2.0: A New Chapter in Storytelling – Part II

The Living Newspaper 2.0 is a template for political theatre creation, developed from research on the theatrical techniques, process, and innovations of the historical Federal Theatre Project Living Newspaper tradition and the contemporary collaborative creation methods of The Crossroads: A Prison Cabaret. My template is a step-by-step guide for developing contemporary Living Newspaper productions that address a specific socio-political issue. In Part II of this study, I explore the Federal Theatre Project Living Newspaper form alongside WHoS’ collaboratively created production The Crossroads: A Prison Cabaret. These case studies not only echo the socio-political climate of their time but also reveal the utilization of theatrical frameworks in engaging and educating the public on contemporary issues. This essay looks at the productions and frameworks that influenced my development of the Living Newspaper 2.0 and highlights their development of new forms of storytelling and audience engagement while considering the impact of their methods on contemporary theatrical practices. Part II therefore aims to provide comprehensive insight into how the Living Newspaper 2.0 was created through the synthesis of the Federal Theatre Project Living Newspaper form, contemporary collaborative approaches, and digital technologies, creating a bridge connecting past innovations and future possibilities in the performing arts.