Theatre of the Oppressed

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Rehearsing the Revolution: What It Is

Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) is a form of popular community-based education that uses theater as a tool for social and political change. Developed in the 1970s by Brazilian visionary Augusto Boal, TO was born out of a desire to turn the "spectator" into an "spect-actor." Instead of just watching a play, the audience is invited to participate, explore, and transform the reality presented on stage. It is a rehearsal for real life, allowing us to practice taking action against injustice in a safe, creative space.

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Forum Theatre: The Art of the Dialogue

Forum Theatre is the most iconic technique within the TO arsenal. It begins with a short play—devised by our ensemble—that depicts a struggle or "oppression" where the protagonist is unable to reach their goal.

The Process:

• Devising: We build the show through a series of physical games and improvisations based on real-life experiences and community struggles.

• The Show: We perform the scene once from start to finish.

• The Intervention: A "Joker" (facilitator) then invites the audience to stop the play, step onto the stage, and take the place of the protagonist. They experiment with different strategies to change the outcome, creating a collective brainstorm of solutions.

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How We Work with You

Anima Latina Ensemble offers two distinct ways to bring Theatre of the Oppressed to your school or organization:

• Touring Performances: We bring a fully developed Forum Theatre show performed by our professional ensemble to your community. We present a specific theme (such as bullying, identity, or social justice) and facilitate an interactive session with your audience.

• Community Devising Residencies: We work directly with your students or members to devise an original show from scratch. Through our workshop process, participants identify the issues most important to them, create their own scenes, and perform them for their peers or the public.