Theatre of the Oppressed (part virtual/part in person)
by Michael Avila
Unit: Theatre of the Oppressed
Objective: Students will demonstrate their understanding of oppression, empathy, Boal techniques by creating and participating in Forum Theatre scenes.
Learning level:Advanced (Secondary Education)
Student Prior Experience: Students have a strong understanding of the basics of theatre including body, voice, improvisation, risk-taking, and performance experience.
National Standards
TH:Cr1.1.III.a. Synthesize knowledge from a variety of dramatic forms, theatrical conventions, and technologies to create the visual composition of a drama/ theatre work.
TH:Cr2-III.a. Develop and synthesize original ideas in a drama/theatre work utilizing critical analysis, historical and cultural context, research, and western or nonwestern theatre traditions.
TH: Re7.1.-III.a. Use historical and cultural context to structure and justify personal responses to a drama/theatre work.
TH:Re9.1.III.c. Compare and debate the connection between a drama/theatre work and contemporary issues that may impact audiences.
TH:Cn10.1.III.a. Collaborate on a drama/theatre work that examines a critical global issue using multiple personal, community, and cultural perspectives.
Objective: Students will demonstrate their understanding of play and discovery as essential tools of theatre by reflecting on Boal Games and their connection to acting and oppression.
Objective: Students will demonstrate their understanding of Theatre of the Oppressed by participating in an online discussion of Chapter 1 of “Games for Actors and Non-actors” by Augusto Boal.
Objective: Students will demonstrate their understanding of the importance of others’ perspectives by analyzing another’s thoughts and feelings about oppression.
Objective: Students will demonstrate their understanding of Forum Theatre by creating a scene with oppression and then performing it in Forum Theatre style–encouraging audience members to become actors to try and solve the problems in the scene in a variety of ways.
