Augusto Boal brings the audience into the spotlight and creates a platform for them to engage freely in the discussion and dialogue as well as contribute to the event. It adds the spectator as a player in the game. Seeing the process of creating theater as a language in which one should be literate in is fundamental as an artist. Especially one trying to dissect an issue, the process or development of the piece is seen as the language of telling the story. Thus not being in any way passive but rather through inviting the audience in on the story, we place a responsibility on them to come forward and engage in the work. They are being asked to continue the dialogue or story in the moment as we perceive it. I do wonder if giving so much freedom and responsibility to the audience can sometimes backfire when a discussion turns into an argument or when it deters from the story? How is this dealt with?
Theater of the opressed exists to engage the audience and community in the perfrmance. It offers a vehicle for social change at a very accessible level. I think the idea of asking the audience what the right choice is or to come up on stage and be a part of the performance is such an interestig cocept. It reminds me of those books that are "choose your own adventure". This seems to be a belief that many different theaters have in their own company beliefs section so it seems to be a relatively popuar idea within the theater world. Or, at leat, well known. I wonder if having the play interrupted would ruin the imaginary world which has been created. Is there a better way to get the audience involved without changing the traditional structure of a play?
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