Intensive training in theatre techniques: Theatre of the Oppressed with a global dimension
Between October and November 2010 we will organise, in the framework of the project GLOBAL STATE OF ART: Theatre for development education, a 17-day intensive international training on theatre techniques, with an emphasis on Theatre of the Oppressed. It was developed by a Brazilian visionary Augusto Boal, and it represents a form of popular, community based education, which uses theatre as a tool for social change on an individual, local and global level. The techniques are used in over 100 countries for social and political activism, conflict resolution, community building, therapy, rehabilitation, advocacy and infliencing goverment legislation.
Designed for non-actors, it uses the universal language of theatre as a springboard for people and whole communities to investigate their lives, identify their dreams, and reinvent their future. Not a soapbox, T.O. invites critical thinking and dialogue. It is about analyzing rather than giving answers.
The methods are based on the language of theatre and the aesthetic space, with the intention to stimulate interaction of participants. Among the popular techniques, the participants will learn more about:
- Image Theatre (analysis tool)
- Forum Theatre (making scenes and plays, interacting with the audience)
- Rainbow of Desire (develop characters and address internal oppression mechanisms)
- Legislative Theatre (making theatre into laws and regulations)
The selected methods and techniques have the capacity to offer tools for the analysis of social conflicts; raise awareness towards development issues; enhance change-oriented learning skills; equip trainers with easy-to-use and efficient techniques to work in communities; create motivation for structural social change and offer tools to concretise desires and demands; develop an attractive and activating form of theatre which draws many people to participate; allow the participants to overcome both personal and collective oppression.
The 12 day theatre workshops will also include techniques for constructing, rehearsing and re-defining performances, as well as skills on how to facilitate a forum, how to engage between the actors and audience, and to bring out participants' creativity and passion to engage more actively into theatre activities. The training will culminate in an interactive performance at the end of the project.
In addition to theatre workshops a part of the training present 2 substantive seminars (5 days) on topics of current social processes and global challenges (human rights, intercultural dialogue, migration, fair trade ...), which participants will later translate into the language of theatre.
Intensive workshops will prepare participants to use theatrical techniques as tools for giving, learning and analysing current global social subjects and global challenges.
After the training, the participants will be able to:
• repeat the program with youth groups
• develop short forum scenes and joker them with an audience
• translate development issues into a theatrical language
• (with the help of a professional director) create entire forum theatre plays
• raise awareness towards development issues (human rights, intercultural dialog, migration).
Each participant will receive a certificate confirming their participation at a basic Theatre of the Oppressed training.
For whom is the training intended?
Education is intended for all who are interested in using theatre as a tool to achieve local-global social change. It is for all those involved in the arts, culture and theatre and / or human rights, global education, empowerment, youth, social justice, and who use or wish to use in their work creative, theatre-based strategies and methodologies. It is also suitable for anyone interested in their own research and exploration of global society in which we live.
Theatrical techniques can be used in various contexts. Theatre experience is not required.
Priority will be given to individuals from different geographical backgrounds that have access and opportunity to further use the techniques learned in their work with (youth) groups.
Description of the training (in Slovene)