Théâtre de l'Opprimé

The theater of the oppressed is a set of techniques developed by Augusto Boal since the 1960s, in Brazil, Latin America, then in Europe and the rest of the world.

It is based on two essential convictions:

• theater is a tool for personal and social transformation – it reveals our representations and makes it possible to change the world;
• every human being is capable of appropriating theatrical language – being an actor on stage in order to be an actor in his own life.

Step by step, the theater of the oppressed (re)awakens free, responsible and united human beings.

Among the different techniques developed by Augusto Boal, the ones we use most frequently are the following:

• Games and exercises are playful means of discovery and learning; they develop sensory perceptions, movement, communication, creativity...
• Image theater allows us – with our bodies as images or statues – to visualize themes, ideas, situations and then to transform and energize them, in a non-verbal way.
• The Rainbow of Desire helps us clarify situations where self-censorship is strong, desires too vague or contradictory, blockages too present.
• Forum theater stages a problematic situation (conflict, dilemma) where a character fails to obtain a legitimate right; the spectators are then asked to suggest and try out alternatives: the stage then becomes a laboratory for change.