Description
Theatre of the oppressed is a method found by the Brazilian theatre director, dramatist, and theorist Augusto Boal in 60 as a way of provoking social change by means of theatre. The methods works by means of several tools: working with people who experienced oppression in the society brings empowerment. Presenting results of their work in the form of theatre performance provokes a dialogue between those who are disadvantaged and wider audience and shads a light on societal oppression and formulates possibility for change. Divadlo Dvě na třetí, a project at the Faculty of Humanities, Charles University in Prague, works with this method more than 8 years and created more then 20 theatre performances with wide range of target groups: Roma and non-Roma population, women suffering domestic violence, Vietnamese community etc.
The project’s aim is to develop further this method in the Czech context, widen amount of its target groups, but also to raise the awareness about the methodology among the professionals in the field culture/performative arts and social work. The project will be implemented at the Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, and led by two skilled professionals in the field of theatre of the oppressed, with a background in education, research, performative arts and social work.
The project has several activities with strong synergies:
- Qualitative strengthening of the methodology through progressive methods from the field performing arts, incl. development of the training of trainers methodology
- Development of a new theatre play, where new methods will be applied
- Festival of the Theatre of the Oppressed “Divufest”, organized for theatre groups both from Prague and regions
- Research in the field and a new book, important basements for the training of trainers.
The project has 2 Norwegian partners: University of Stavanger and Rudolf Steiner University College, Oslo, whose aim is to support this methodology in Norway.
Summary of project results
The project contributed to the development of the Theater of the Oppressed and its promotion methods in the Czech Republic, addressing contemporary social challenges. Know-how was strengthened, and its application was verified in the context of various modern forms of oppression. Additionally, the project facilitated supra-regional and international sharing of experiences.
Initiated during the pandemic, some planned activities were delayed or not implemented as intended.
The project included long-term training for two guarantors in performing arts, complemented by workshops on selected aspects and a bilateral exchange with two Norwegian partners.
A key outcome was the creation of the play Cabaret Let Me Out, which premiered and was performed three additional times.
The Festival of the Theater of the Oppressed (DU) was organized in Prague, bringing together teams working with the DU method, including groups from PdF Ostrava University, PdF MU in Brno, and JAMU in Brno. Representatives from Norwegian partner organizations also participated and led two workshops.
Additionally, research was conducted in the subject area, leading to the creation of a publication.
These activities had a synergistic effect, enhancing the performing arts skills of the two guarantors and other workshop participants, including educators and students using the DU method. The project also explored the potential of DU in addressing contemporary challenges through the development of a new play and the festival. Insights gained by the guarantors were incorporated into the publication.
The project''s impact was further strengthened through publicity efforts, including visuals created by the Divadlo 2na3 group and content shared via the project website.
The project strengthened the capacity of various entities, resulting in several key outputs. Two guarantors were trained, and 110 cultural practitioners received training. Support was extended to 26 entities, helping to enhance their work and impact. A comprehensive methodology for training was developed, providing a structured approach to future capacity-building efforts.
A festival was organized, where 11 plays were presented, highlighting the work of different groups involved in the project. Additionally, a book was published, with 230 printed copies distributed, and a free e-version made available to a wider audience.
In the context of contemporary art, the project introduced a method that lies at the intersection of performing arts and social work. This method addressed pressing challenges faced by target groups such as young people, minorities, and women.
Furthermore, cooperation with the Hybernská Campus was successfully established, fostering new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian partners became more familiar with the method of the Theater of the Oppressed, a method that is still not widely known in Norway. Through the project, they gained insight not only into the activities of the 2na3 Theatre but also into the approaches, themes, and repertoires of other groups in the Czech Republic using this method. This was especially evident through their participation in the festival, which allowed them to explore a variety of practices and performances.Representatives of the partners also took part in a two-day seminar focused on the use of voice, led by Ridina Ahmedová. During this seminar, they had the opportunity to engage with new techniques and approaches in theater work. In addition, they led two workshops, sharing their own approaches to theater with others.Finally, two expert guarantors presented the method and the outcomes of the project to students at the partner university in Stavanger, further expanding the reach and impact of the Theater of the Oppressed methodology.