Theater of the Oppressed is a collection of games, techniques, exercises for using theater as a vehicle for personal and social change. It uses the dynamized human body and the charged theatrical space as laboratories for exploring power, transforming oppression, and finding community-building solutions to the fundamental problems of conflict, inequality, injustice, and human suffering. Based on the radical pedagogy of Paolo Freire and Augusto Boal, it is a collective artistic exploration into the fullest expression of our human dignity, potential, and creativity.
This introductory class will cover the theory, application and facilitation of TO, including:
- Demechanization
- Dynamization
- Image Theater
- Forum Theater
- Rainbow of Desire/Cop-in-the-head
- Devising
- Theory & Pedagogy
These techniques will be introduced with the goal of understanding their application as practical and essential tools for artistic development, creative expression, social engagement, and personal transformation, while developing spontaneity, fluidity, presence, and critical intelligence.
The workshop will be 80% experiential and 20% reflective/didactic. No prior theater or performance experience is necessary, but willingness to engage actively/physically is important.
Elements and theories of related counter-oppressive approaches will also be introduced, and important practitioners of TO, popular education, or related fields may be guest facilitators.
