A verbatim theater intervention based on over 50 interviews with cancer stakeholders provided therapeutic value and was viewed as a critical mechanism to bridge divides in cancer research.
Does verbatim theater improve understanding of cancer disparities and research engagement among community members?
Verbatim theater offers a novel, community-engaged framework to document cancer experiences, illuminate structural barriers, and potentially bridge divides between stakeholders in cancer care.
Abstract Cancer outcome disparities persist among underserved populations in central Illinois, yet traditional research approaches often fail to capture lived experiences or engage affected communities in meaningful partnerships. This project employs verbatim theater, a documentary performance methodology, to address cancer disparities through storytelling, qualitative research, and community engagement, aiming to increase representation of historically excluded groups, identify barriers to patient-centered research, and foster collaboration among patients, caregivers, researchers, and clinicians. Building on 50+ interviews with cancer survivors, family members, healthcare providers, and researchers across central Illinois. Interview transcripts are being transformed into a verbatim theater script that authentically documents cancer treatment experiences and illuminates structural barriers to equitable care. Through partnerships with University of Illinois Cancer Research Advocacy Group, Prairie Dragon Paddlers, Carle-Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Station Theater, and other community organizations, we will present two live performances (April-May 2026) projected to reach 500+ community members, with digital distribution extending impact to broader audiences. Pre- and post-performance surveys coupled with facilitated discussions will assess changes in audience understanding of cancer disparities, research engagement intentions, and perceived barriers to care. Preliminary findings reveal significant therapeutic and educational value. Interview participants consistently report that sharing their narratives through this qualitative process has been healing and supportive. Both survivors and clinicians express enthusiasm for seeing diverse cancer experiences represented collectively in an accessible format they have never previously encountered. Participants identify isolation, fragmented communication, and silence as pervasive challenges during cancer treatment. Many view this verbatim theater intervention as a critical mechanism to bridge divides between stakeholder groups and foster new collaborations in cancer research and care delivery. This approach uniquely combines immediate quality-of-life benefits for participants with long-term structural change potential. By centering community voices and creating accessible science communication, this model offers a replicable framework for other institutions addressing cancer disparities through patient advocacy, community engagement, and implementation science strategies. (The trailer can be found at https://ipmnewsroom.org/u-of-i-funding-to-help-showcase-cancer-research-through-theater/) Citation Format: Azlan G. Smith, Craig A. Richard, Zeynep Madak Erdogan. Cancer Voices: A community-engaged approach to transform cancer disparities through verbatim theater abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 6347.
Smith et al. (2026) studied Cancer disparities (n=50). Verbatim theater was evaluated on Changes in audience understanding of cancer disparities, research engagement intentions, and perceived barriers to care. A verbatim theater intervention based on over 50 interviews with cancer stakeholders provided therapeutic value and was viewed as a critical mechanism to bridge divides in cancer research.