Theatre of the Oppressed

Theatre of the Oppressed focuses on helping communities of mostly spectators take action over political performance in a rehearsal performance setting. “Perhaps the theatre is not revolutionary in itself; but have no doubts, it is a rehearsal revolution!”

There are multiple sources that can be used to help communities and individuals express themselves without the necessity of language. E.g. photography, movement, image theatre

Theatre of the Oppressed requires spectators to be active and involved in the process of the performance in order to get a more personal approach and experience.

Theatre of the Oppressed helps people build confidence and new skills of communication that may support the base of a social revolution.

Where is the line drawn, within Theatre of the Oppressed, between performance of personal sharing and community therapy? Is there a line?

How does one involve communities who might feel afraid of telling stories due to oppressive systems and the consequences this might bring?

Comments

Jeremy Griffith - The Roof is on Fire

1. CONTEXT: What were the circumstances that framed the meaning and process of this project? There are many minority teens in low-income, low-opportunity areas who have unheard voices. Their self-esteem isn't cultivated and all of their portrayal in the media is negative. 2. CONTENT: What was the issue, need, idea or opportunity addressed by this project? Teen voices were unheard, opinions of them were based on negative media stereotypes, and many of them had very poor self-esteem. 3: FORM: What is the medium that was used to address or embody the content? Immersive theatre in the form of car-conversations that audience members could eavesdrop on. 4. STAKEHOLDERS: Which are the groups or individuals that were invested in the project? The teenagers were very invested because of their desire to free their voices. The adults who helped were invested because they wanted to help these kids start to change the narrative. And the d...

Mind Map

What a Riot - Bri Pattillo

I like the Theater of the Oppressed methodology of the Joker. It sort of reminded me of El Pachuco in “Zoot Suit”, like this narrator commenting on all the action. I thought the Joker methodology was a good way to introduce a Theater of the Oppressed tactic into the piece. A lot of the Theater of the Oppressed options that we read about last week have an element of questioning within in them, but I think the Joker was a good one to use with young people. It was nice and cool that she was able to include the students’ actual questions into the play. I did think her approach was rather problematic. She highlighted the problem herself and posed the question, “To whom and to what is the author beholden when writing a play for a specified population that has been invited to contribute to the playwriting process?” My problem was her answer, when she said that the students didn’t understand all of the references or language in the play. I don’t...

Arts and Community Engagement 2018

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