This course is an introduction to the sociopolitical activist forms that make up the arsenal of the Theatre of the Oppressed. Originally developed in Brazil by theatre innovator Augusto Boal, these forms were inspired by the educational theories of Paulo Freire and employed with peasants and workers throughout Latin America. Now they are used internationally and have been developed and adapted by countless companies and practitioners. This introductory level course will engage students with the foundational theories, through the writings of both Freire and Boal, and given them a sound exposure to the interactive games and exercises that form the bedrock of this work. Students will investigate social, political, pedagogical and artistic intersections through Image Theatre, Forum Theatre, and Newspaper Theatre.
