In both theatre and activism, the act of witnessing holds immense power. Whether it’s an audience watching a performance unfold on stage or activists bearing witness to the suffering of animals in slaughterhouses, witnessing is a crucial step in creating empathy and fostering change. Through witnessing, we become more than passive observers; we are called upon to engage emotionally and morally with what we see. This connection between witnessing and performance is especially potent in animal rights activism, where the unseen suffering of nonhuman animals is often hidden from public view.
What Does It Mean to Bear Witness?
To bear witness is more than simply seeing or observing—it is about acknowledging and confronting the reality of suffering. In the context of animal rights activism, this often takes the form of slaughterhouse vigils, where activists stand outside facilities and watch animals being transported to their deaths. These moments are raw, emotional, and often heartbreaking, as activists confront the pain and fear of animals who have no escape.
Bearing witness in this way is an act of solidarity with those who cannot speak for themselves. It is a way of giving voice to the voiceless, of making visible the hidden suffering that society often chooses to ignore. By bearing witness, activists hope to inspire others to see the world differently—to recognise the moral implications of their choices and to take action to create change.
Witnessing in Performance: The Audience as Witness
Theatre, too, is an act of witnessing. Every time we attend a play or performance, we are engaging in an act of collective witnessing. We watch the actors on stage embody characters, live through conflicts, and experience emotions that, while fictional, feel deeply real in the moment. As audience members, we are not just passive spectators; we are invited to engage with the performance on an emotional and intellectual level.
In this way, the role of the audience in theatre mirrors the role of activists at slaughterhouse vigils. Both are witnessing acts of suffering—whether real or staged—and both are asked to respond in some way. While the suffering on stage may be fictional, it can still evoke real emotions and provoke important questions about our society, our ethics, and our responsibilities.
Bridging the Gap Between Activism and Performance
In my own work, I have sought to merge the act of witnessing in activism with the emotional impact of performance. One example of this is my project Box of Shadows, which is based on my experience bearing witness at slaughterhouse vigils. In this performance, I sought to recreate the emotional and physical toll of witnessing animal suffering, not just for myself as the performer but for the audience as well.
The performance places the audience in the position of the activist, asking them to bear witness to the suffering of animals. Through the use of sound, visuals, and physical movement, Box of Shadows creates an immersive experience that mimics the overwhelming emotions of a slaughterhouse vigil. By combining the immediacy of live performance with the real-life trauma of bearing witness, the performance challenges the audience to confront the reality of animal suffering in a visceral way.
In doing so, Box of Shadows asks the audience to move beyond passive observation. Just as activists are compelled to take action after witnessing the suffering of animals, the audience is invited to reflect on their own role in systems of exploitation and to consider what actions they might take in response.
Witnessing as a Moral Responsibility
Both in performance and in activism, the act of witnessing carries with it a moral responsibility. When we witness suffering—whether in real life or through a staged performance—we are confronted with a choice: to turn away or to engage, to ignore or to act. This moral responsibility is particularly important in the context of animal rights, where the suffering of animals is often hidden from public view and easy to overlook.
By bearing witness, we are forced to acknowledge that suffering exists, and that we are implicated in it. For activists, this often means taking direct action—whether through protests, vigils, or other forms of advocacy. For audiences, the response may be more personal, but it is no less important. Theatre, at its best, compels us to reflect on our own lives, our own choices, and the ways in which we might contribute to creating a more just and compassionate world.
The Power of Witnessing to Create Change
One of the reasons witnessing is such a powerful tool—both in performance and in activism—is that it makes the invisible visible. Much of the suffering in the world, particularly the suffering of animals, takes place behind closed doors, in spaces where the public is not allowed to see. Slaughterhouses, factory farms, and laboratories are deliberately hidden from view, making it easy for society to ignore the moral implications of animal exploitation.
By bearing witness—whether at a slaughterhouse vigil or through a performance that brings animal suffering to the stage—we can disrupt this invisibility. We can force the public to confront the realities of animal exploitation, and in doing so, we can create the conditions for change. When suffering is made visible, it becomes harder to ignore, and people are more likely to take action to stop it.
In both theatre and activism, witnessing has the power to create empathy. It allows us to see the world from another perspective, to feel the emotions of others, and to understand the suffering that we might otherwise overlook. This empathy is the first step towards change—because once we see and feel the suffering of others, it becomes much harder to turn away.
Conclusion
The act of witnessing is central to both theatre and animal rights activism. Whether we are witnessing a performance on stage or the suffering of animals in a slaughterhouse, we are called upon to engage emotionally and morally with what we see. By making suffering visible, we create the conditions for empathy and, ultimately, for change.
In a world where so much suffering is hidden from view, the role of witnessing becomes even more important. Through performance, we can bring the suffering of animals to the forefront of public consciousness, creating a space for reflection, empathy, and action. Whether on stage or at a vigil, witnessing is a powerful tool for creating a more compassionate and just world.
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