Introduction to the Theater of the Oppressed I

Saturday sign-in: 9:15 am

Workshop: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm on both Saturday & Sunday

An overview of the theory and philosophy of popular education and Theater
of the Oppressed and an introduction for beginners to Theater of the Oppressed
techniques, concepts, methods and games, with a focus on Image Theater.
This is a workshop designed for people who have had little or no exposure
to TO. If you've been wondering what this is all about, now is your chance
to find out!

This workshop will highlight the integrated arts approach to Image Theater
used at Augusto Boal's Center for the Theater of the Oppressed in Rio de
Janeiro--sculpture, drawing, poetry, dance, music. Consideration of Boal's
new ideas concerning the aesthetics of the oppressed will be included.

Image Theater is designed to develop individual skills of observation and
self-reflection, and cooperative group interaction. Leadership-building
and consensus-building games and techniques explore relations of power and
group solutions to concrete problems through "living body imagery."
Discussions begin through the language of images, offering a fresh
approach to power analysis and new opportunities for the exchange of
ideas.

The workshop is open to everyone. No theater or acting experience is
necessary. It involves physical movement, so wear loose, comfortable
clothing.

Participants are asked to bring several objects on the first day of the
workshop. These objects can be any size, from a paper clip (or smaller) to
a bicycle (or larger). They can be "found" objects, items from your home
or workplace, personal accoutrements, tools, artworks, things from nature,
junk....just about anything that is an *object*. These objects will be
used to construct sculptures, and many of them will be altered, damaged,
lost or discarded, so bring only objects that you can afford--financially
or sentimentally--to lose or leave behind.

There is no formal application, but pre-registration is required. You can register online by using the box at the right or mail a check to the Brecht Forum (write Intro to Theater of the Oppressed in the memo).

Please also send an email to the Theater of the Oppressed Laboratory at toplab@toplab.org to let them know that you will be attending or call them at (212) 924-1858.