'For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander theatre-makers, modern theatrical methods offer a valuable tool to educate members of our community about the prevalent health issues that we currently face. My involvement in one such project, Viral: Are You the Cure?, produced by the Melbourne-based Ilbijerri Theatre Company, allowed me to explore more deeply this type of theatre-making. Through participant observation using Shawn Wilson’s Indigenous research paradigm, examining the work with regards to Schechner and Turner’s considerations around ritual, and exploring several historical parallels, I argue that such forms of educational health theatre represent a contemporary manifestation of healing ritual and ceremony.' (Publication abstract)
