An Introduction to Theatre of the Oppressed: Workshop and Forum Theatre Performance

We invite you to discover Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) as a tool for popular education and social transformation. This introductory workshop helps participants become familiar with using the body to change our automatic behaviors, and forum theatre allows us to dramatize a social issue so that we can collectively equip ourselves to address it.
These are open spaces for collective reflection and practice. In the introductory workshop to TO, we will explore the core exercises and techniques for discussing oppression and power. The Forum Theatre performance (produced in partnership with Équiterre) explores the issue of rising social polarization through two short scenes: one addresses disagreements with loved ones, people we care about and with whom we wish to maintain a connection. The other addresses disagreements with fellow citizens over divisive social issues.
Will you be able to maintain an open dialogue in these difficult situations? Two activities, two ways of approaching theatre for social change.
The performance is divided into two parts: first, we will watch short skits that end badly, performed by actresses. Then, we will ask the audience what could be done to improve these situations. Those who wish to do so will have the opportunity to try putting these suggestions into practice by improvising with the actresses. Because while we can generally analyze, with hindsight, why situations go wrong, we do not always know how to adjust our behavior. Easier said than done, but this is your chance to practice embodying the change the world needs or to see how others handle it. No judgment and lots of fun, everyone is welcome!