'Deliberative Theater' to tackle Marcellus Shale
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Two words guaranteed to spark debate in Western Pennsylvania: Marcellus Shale.
Tonight there will be, in the words of one of the event's organizers, a "robust discussion" on the subject, but this foray into public discourse won't abide shouting or grandstanding.
"Managing Marcellus: A Deliberative Theater Event" promises measured, civilized response from many sides of what has become such a hot-button topic. And that in itself is remarkable.
"In stark contrast to what you find at a typical town meeting and in the blogosphere ... we strive to have well-informed, well-structured conversation," said Robert Cavalier, Carnegie Mellon University professor of philosophy and co-director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Program for Deliberative Democracy.
"We're trying to find ways to help people think of ways to work together at the intersection of government, industry and the community."
The event, which begins at 4:30 p.m. in WQED's studios in Oakland, kicks off a yearlong initiative to focus on Marcellus Shale and its impact on the community.
The CMU Program for Deliberative Democracy, WQED, Pop City, the Coro Center for Civic Leadership and the Unseam'd Shakespeare Company are partnering in presentation of the roughly four-hour event.
The Colcom Foundation, which studies the influences of overpopulation on our sustainable environment, is providing major funding.
This is not open to the walk-in public, although members of the general population were able to apply for the chance to participate months ago through the Pop City website.
And it is truly interactive. After watching a 25-minute play written by the CMU program's Shannon Deep, anywhere from 80 to 100 participants -- including natural gas industry representatives, property owners who have and have not agreed to allow fracking extraction, members of the media and local public leaders -- will break into smaller groups and discuss a set of questions.
Theater, Mr. Cavalier said, "can present multiple perspectives" of an issue, which makes it a good vehicle for the deliberative approach. "And what we want to achieve is a civil discourse that's positive."
"The theatrical component helps engage people on an emotional level," said Greg Crowley, vice president of program development for the Coro Center and co-director of Southwestern Pennsylvania Program for Deliberative Democracy.
Those involved in the planning say they anticipate a lively, yet refined, discourse.
First Published July 27, 2011 12:00 am
