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Sat, 30 May 2009 00:17

alexsj
Messages: 3
Registered: May 2008
Location: New York City

Junior Member

Introduction to Theatre of the Oppressed: a Facilitator Training begins SUNDAY, JUNE 7!

Are you a community organizer, educator, or performer? Are you a social activist, social worker or theatre practioner? Do you want to learn more about yourself and your communities? If you have interest in critical education, in political or social change, in performance as a tool of transformation, or in understanding issues of oppression, then Theatre of the Oppressed is for you!

Getting trained as a facilitator in Theatre of the Oppressed techniques, however, can be extremely difficult. Trainings are few, often extremely pricey, or limited to students in high academic institutions. We seek to make these tools available to people who need them--people who are doing good work! We offer sliding-scale pricing and for this first training we will not turn anyone away for lack of ability to pay.

Introduction to Theatre of the Oppressed: a Facilitator Training
Facilitators: Alexander Santiago-Jirau & S. Leigh Thompson
Location: The Center for Arts Education Annex, 225 West 34th St (btwn 7th & 8th Aves), New York, NY
Date and time: Sundays, 12 noon - 4 pm, beginning June 7

Description
This twelve-session workshop series is a practical and theoretical exploration of Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed techniques. Augusto Boal worked most of his life to help individuals and societies to transform their realities through theatre. Believing that everyone has the capacity to act--to take action and reflect on their conditions--Boal developed Theatre of the Oppressed. These techniques were designed to raise consciousness and create action for individual and social change.

Our goals for this training are: to give participants a working knowledge of Theatre of the Oppressed; to explore the possibilities and limitations of Theatre of the Oppressed techniques; to prepare participants for using Theatre of the Oppressed techniques in their work and communities; and, of course, to have fun in the process!

Participants will be guided through a series of games and exercises that challenge how one understands their environment and communities. Through discussion and exploration, participants will be encouraged to explore systems of oppression. Critical and practical readings, debate, and community participation will also inform our learning as we explore Boal's strategies and practical applications in our own lives, work and communities.

Participants
We would be able to accommodate a maximum of 20 participants for this program. The program will be closed, and those who sign up at the start will be expected to continue for the duration. We seek to involve educators, community leaders and students who seek to use this training to further their pedagogical, social justice and organizing work. Participants of all experiences, identities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The Tentative Outline
Sun, June 7: Building and Exploring Community
Sun, June 14: History and Theoretical Foundations
Sun, June 21: Image Theatre I
Sun, June 28: Image Theatre II
Sun, July 5: Theatre as a Language of Literacy
Sun, July 12: Forum Theatre I
Sun, July 19: Forum Theatre II
Sun, Aug 2: The Role of the Joker
Sun, Aug 9: Working with Allies
Sun, Aug 16: Rehearsal
To Be Determined: Performance Festival
Sun, Aug 23: Final Reflection

Cost
As our first lengthy training, we will be offering this 12-session training for the low sliding-scale price of $200. No one will be turned away for inability to pay. Please contact us to discuss payment options.

Register
To register, email us at info@theforumproject.org. Please include the following:
* Name
* Email, phone, and location
* Organization or educational affiliation (if any)
* Explanation of how you intend to use the information in this training

What is The Forum Project?
The Forum Project (TFP) is a project of artist-advocates who work to offer methods through which individuals and communities can explore and understand the world, their community and their lives. TFP works through critical pedagogy and theatre of the oppressed techniques to offer opportunities for community dialogue. With nearly twenty years of combined experience, co-facilitators Alex Santiago-Jirau and S. Leigh Thompson design custom workshops, community projects, performances and trainings for a wide range of communities and social justice issues. Learn more about Alex and Leigh at http://sites.google.com/site/theforumprojectorg/about-us.

What is Theatre of the Oppressed?
As you may already know, Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) was developed by Augusto Boal and is a form of popular education that uses theatrical language of the body and word as a tool for transformation. It uses are many: from community building to social activism; from conflict resolution to therapy; from entertainment to creating legislation. The process is rooted in dialogue, critical reflection, action, and a spirit of exploration and play. For more on the history of Theatre of the Oppressed, check out these websites:
Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed: http://www.ptoweb.org/boal.html
The Mandala Center http://www.mandalaforchange.com/theatreopp.ht

Questions? Please email me back at leigh@theforumproject.org.