The development and cultural translation of a brief theatre-based programme for the promotion of bystander engagement and violence prevention

This article focuses on a theatre-based intervention for the promotion and protection of health and well-being, an area of applied arts that is increasingly seeing more interest. You the Man (YTM) is an American theatre-based programme for bystander engagement and violence prevention. It is a brief intervention, consisting of a 30-35 minute play about dating violence and sexual assault plus a post-performance panel discussion. The script of the play remains unchanged from performance to performance, but the format of the post-performance discussion is tailored to the local setting circumstances, and other violence prevention activities happening locally. Panel members present for this discussion are drawn from local support agencies, and the discussion serves to introduce people to the local resources that are available. This article describes the original process of development and application of YTM in the United States, followed by the process undertaken to produce an Australian version of the programme; the term cultural translation is used to describe this process.