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 think it’s wrong to let your biases show, but I think the responsible thing to do would have been to continue to educate the students and bring them even more into the play and the process. Her approach directly contradicts the opening words of the play, “’Cause when you’re on the street, it’s your street, When you’re in the school, it’s your school…” It reminds me of a phrase my friend shared recently, “nothing for us if not with us”, that is to say, you can’t say something is for someone’s benefit without including them and their perspective.