It may seem really obvious to say that you need to get your intention(s) clear before you start planning your performance/action, but we've seen a lot of energy wasted in performances which seemed clever/imaginative etc, but left people thinking 'so what?'

• Is your main aim to get a striking photo image into the media?

• Is your intention to get people to come away with a new understanding of an issue? (Don't be too ambitious; one new understanding is almost certainly enough).

• Are you trying to inspire people to believe that they can make a difference?

• Is your intention to get your audience to do something like sign a petition/postcard, write a letter, commit themselves to making a change in their lives etc?

• Is your intention to interest people enough that they'll take home and read a leaflet? "If you don't leaflet as part of a street theatre action you're missing a major opportunity" - Polyp

Or your intentions might be completely different - just be clear what they are.

Its a good idea to write your intention(s) on a big sheet of paper so that you can keep returning to them in the planning stages. It could even be one person's job to keep reminding everyone.

How to present your message

The battle of the story not the story of the battle

We think this is an essential exercise in preparation for your activity

Acknowledgements to David Solnit for this.

A meme is a unit of meaning commonly understood.

The power holders use control memes such as Bush's 'War on Terror'.

Can you think of others?

We hope you will want to develop a smart meme for your activity e.g.

No blood for oil

Another world is possible

Pensions not war

Trade justice

Our world, our say

Another world is happening

Make poverty history

Fair trade not free trade

Take the issue you are campaigning about.

Go through these five elements to be clear how the power holders are presenting the issue and how WE, the change agents, want to present it

Here's an example of Replacing Trident Nuclear Weapons

So the change agent's story battles with the Power Holder's story by

Framing the Conflict

Telling the Future

Engaging Positive Values of care, community

Showing in action not preaching.

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