Listen to the (in)mate, a life history, readers theatre (re)presentation of women in Ecuador jails accused of drug trafficking

Abstract

This thesis, presented in a readers theatre format, is grounded in life history and arts-informed research perspectives. Aimed to reach diverse audiences, the readers theatre script offers an alternative modality to present explanations for women's involvement in the illegal drug trade in Ecuador, South America. Individual life history interviews with seven women accused of drug trafficking are represented in a minimally staged conversation. In a dramatic mode, through scenes and acts, the script momentarily merges women's childhood and family experiences, spousal relationships and child care with their knowledge, or absence of knowledge, and experience in the illegal drug trade. Relevant social science literature provide thesis readers and script audiences with a contextual backdrop to the women's accounts of their lived experience. The inmates' narratives are staged against the background provided by low income households headed by women, "war on drugs" inspired legislation, and Ecuador's political and economic crisis.