Theatre of the Oppressed Apprenticeship Program
(TOAP)
starts January 2012
Program Overview and Residency Dates
This ten-month, low-residency training and apprenticeship program offers the opportunity for new and experienced Theatre of the Oppressed students as well as current TO practitioners to develop and deepen their understanding of the techniques, theory, history, and practical application of Theatre of the Oppressed as a process of community action and empowerment.
The first year consists of over 110 hours of training in Boal's techniques, discussion and debate about current issues in TO application. Summer months include research and writing about theoretical and practical issues related to the use of TO, as well as the option of a mini- practicum with a community organization to help incorporate TO into their ongoing work.
The second year of the program consists of an internship with a grassroots organization to support and develop a community's capacity to use TO in their work, plus ongoing research and discussion with other TO practitioners about topics relevant to practical and theoretical aspects of the work. Second year students may also assist with the first-year workshops, as available.
2012 TOAP Dates and Topics
January 28, 2012
Introduction to Theatre of the Oppressed: Theatre for Community!
Learn about the history, theory, and practice of Theatre of the Oppressed, and practice games for community-building, dialogue, and action. This introduction is appropriate for all levels of experience, and particularly useful for teachers, community workers, organizers, and others working with specific communities or groups.
February 25-26
Image Theatre I and II
In Image Theatre I, we'll explore the use of images, or frozen stage pictures, to create a language without words that expresses your experience and social reality. Together, we'll develop our understanding of images as a powerful form of dialogue about issues of oppression.
Image Theatre II will develop images out of personal stories to reveal new possibilities for action, intervention or transformation of difficult moments.
March 25-26
Cop-in-the-Head: Exploring Internalized Oppression
Have you ever wanted to do something or say something, but for some reason you didn't? In this workshop, we'll explore Boal's techniques for understanding and transforming internalized oppression.
April 21-22
Playing the System: Social roles, Masks, and Status
How do you use this work to explore and illuminate systemic oppression? We'll look at power through images and games, and practice different ways of exploring systemic oppression through theatre.
May 18-20
Forum Theatre Weekend!
Now it's time to take the theatre to our community! Workshop participants will spend the weekend developing an interactive forum piece about an issue of oppression explored in earlier workshops. We will perform for a community of friends and allies, and invite our community to join us onstage to help us brainstorm possibilities for addressing the problem.
June 22-24
Theatre in Public Spaces--invisible and otherwise!
Boal developed Invisible Theatre while in Argentina during the dictatorship, where it was illegal and politically angerous to practice theatre openly. The actors took to the streets, buses, and public places in order to continue their work of engaging the community in theatrical dialogue. We'll take to the streets and create and perform a public performance during this weekend workshop, based on Boal's Invisible Theatre.
July-August: Summer Research and Practicum
July and August are a perfect time for research, writing, and a practicum with a community organization of your choice. Continue to explore Theatre of the Oppressed while remaining in contact with your TOAP cohort, with monthly group get-togethers, phone, and email correspondence.
September 21-23
Forum Theatre II and the Role of the Joker
Return to Forum Theatre for a deeper exploration of the complexities of this work, and practice the role of the Joker, the person who facilitates Forum Theatre in a public performance. Participants will practice jokering short scenes.
October 20-21
Forum Theatre III and Jokering in Action
Participants will have the opportunity to joker a public performance created by Living Stages ensemble for an audience of friends and supporters. We'll explore different jokering challenges, and different strategies for dealing with them as well as different styles and approaches to the art of jokering.
