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Paper Short Abstract:

Using theatre as ethnographic method, Tunisian actors are asked to work as auto-ethnographers documenting their visa experiences, aiming to challenge colonial anthropology. This paper reflects on the ongoing methodological experiment, its current phases and potential future directions.

Paper Abstract:

This paper reflects on an ongoing methodological experiment exploring theatre as an ethnographic research method. Beyond traditional ethnography, where a single researcher studies how Tunisian visa applicants navigate Europe's borders, five Tunisian actors are asked to work as ethnographers while applying for a visa to The Netherlands. The experiment aims to dismantle the subject-object dichotomy inherent in colonial anthropology, challenging the distinctions between researcher and researched, often perpetuating colonial relations. Choosing a theatre play over an article arises from a desire to navigate the documentation regime, historically tied to colonial history and the dominance of the 'Man with the Pen' over oral traditions. Theatre can potentially foster different ways of knowledge making and utilization. The plan is that actors collect auto-ethnographic material by documenting their experiences through note taking, photographing, audio recording and video journaling. The aim is that this material constitutes the plot of the theatre play. The paper outlines the phases this experiment has gone through, and what is yet to come. It reflects on what was envisioned and what has happened so far in practice. It will critically engage with the limitations, the obstacles and surprises, closing off with questions and ideas for the future.