Center Stage Youth Theatre

Posts Tagged ‘Interactive Techniques’

I am this week reading a book about Augusto Boal and his Theatre of the Opressed Movement:

The Theatre of the Oppressed, a term coined by Augusto Boal, is a series of theatrical analyses and critiques developed in the 1950s. Boal is an avid supporter of utilizing interactive techniques, especially in the context of theatre. Many of his ideas are considered as “a new media perspective”, despite the relatively early birth of these ideas. Since then, these ideas have been developed more, giving them meaning in a modern-day context. The creation of the Theatre of the Oppressed is largely based on the idea of dialogue and interaction between audience and performer.^[1] Moreover, these ideas have served as a framework for the development and evolution of stronger ideas.^[2]

Simultaneous dramaturgy is a technique used to define a type of actor-audience interaction. It is the technique where amidst the middle of a theatrical work, the actors on stage will stop the play and ask the audience for solutions to their situation. The audience will voice their opinion toward a solution.^[2]

This approach bridges the gap and increases interaction between actor and audience. It promotes consistent dialogue, and breaks barriers that might otherwise divide the two. The audience now becomes empowered to direct the course of the play. More importantly, a sense of empowerment is bestowed upon the audience: an incredible factor in political activism, hence the name: “Theatre of the Oppressed”.^[2]

I can’t stop thinking about the ramifications this technique could have on the education young people in so many areas.

For more information:  http://www.theatreoftheoppressed.org/en/index.php