Theatre of the Oppressed is a theoretical framework and set of
techniques developed by Brazilian director, artist and activist Augusto
Boal.
Recognizing that humans have a unique ability to take action in the
world while simultaneously observing themselves in action, Boal believed
that the human was a self-contained theatre, actor and spectator in
one. Because we can observe ourselves in action, we can amend, adjust
and alter our actions to have different impact and to change our world.
Theatre
of the Oppressed engages people in discovery, critical reflection and
dialogue and the process of liberation! Through Theatre of the Oppressed
we can better understand ourselves, our communities and our world.
There are several series of techniques, tools and expressions of Theatre
of the Oppressed. Below are some The Forum Project uses regularly.
Game playing is the core of Theatre of the
Oppressed. An extensive arsenal of well crafted and expertly facilitated
games allows participants to stretch the limits of their imaginations,
demechanize habitual behaviors and deconstruct and analyze societal
structures of power and oppression. Plus, game playing is fun and builds
community!
In Image Theatre
participants explore issues of oppression by using nonverbal expression
and sculpting their own and other participants’ bodies into static
physical images that can depict anything concrete or abstract, such as a
feeling, issue, or moment.
Forum Theatre
is a performance that functions to transform from spectator (one who
watches) to a spect-actor (one who watches and takes action). A short
scene by Forum actors presents an issue of oppression and represents the
world as it is–the anti-model. Audience members are then encouraged to
stop the play and take the stage to address the oppression, attempting
to change the outcome through action. The show engages Forum actors and
audience members in fun, entertaining and enlightening community
dialogue.
Legislative Theatre
is an extension of Boal’s Forum Theatre techniques and functions to
determine the need for, create, and enact laws. Beyond community
building and issue awareness,z Legislative Theatre uses theatrical
techniques to create concrete and specific socio-political impact.
Rainbow of Desire uses Image and Forum techniques to
investigate internalized oppression. This highly therapeutic series of
techniques asks participants to explore how external oppression causes
us to oppress ourselves and helps to identify greater social issues and
identify opportunities and even action for change.
