What is meant by Theatre of the oppressed?

Theatre of the Oppressed is a performance-based educational workshop in which acting, rehearsing, and reacting are tools to teach people to actively deal with oppression.

How did Theatre of the oppressed start?

The Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) was developed by Brazilian theatre director Augusto Boal during the 1950’ps and 1960’s. From his work Boal evolved various forms of theatre workshops and performances which aimed to meet the needs of all people for interaction, dialogue, critical thinking, action, and fun.

Is Theatre of the oppressed applied Theatre?

Theatre of the Oppressed provides a process for testing actions which can transform the societies and communities in which we work and live. Applied Theatre uses whole-body/whole-mind activities to assist groups to clearly identify problems and actively rehearse solutions.

What is the historical context of Theatre of the oppressed?

Historical Context Theatre of the Oppressed took place in the early 1970s in Rio de Janeiro. The theatre was influenced by the level of theatrical education in slum areas and was created to engage the individuals in Boal’s his society in discovery, critical reflection, dialogue and process of liberation.

What are the conventions of Theatre of the oppressed?

Theatrical Elements and Conventions Theatre of the Oppressed is formed through the “Tree of the Theatre of the Oppressed”, beginning through oppressive stimulus, followed by image, sound and word, games and then growing into many sub – theatres (as shown in the picture on the right).

Why is fear freedom oppressed?

When the oppressed see oppressive conditions as good or right, they can be paralyzed by a “fear of freedom.” Therefore, achieving freedom requires oppressed people to reject their previous notions of what a good or right society is, and to understand that an oppressive society cannot give them freedom.