Theatre of the oppressed and social work: an opportunity for social awareness through theatre

Abstract

This chapter focuses on one method of social theatre, namely the 'Theatre of the Oppressed', and its possible relationship with social work. Theatre of the Oppressed (TO), by Augusto Boal, is a methodology based on the philosophy of Paulo Freire's pedagogy of liberation. It is based on the idea that most of the people suffer an oppression of some kind or another and oppressive structures can be overcome by social action. Theatre of the Oppressed's techniques and methodologies can be tools for raising awareness about the inequalities and injustices of the system in which we live. The general and more common way of TO is to prepare a Forum Theatre play using the 'gamexercises' to make participants become actors. TO works mostly with disadvantaged groups which may be familiar for social workers, but also for people 'in general'. The results and impact of TO involvement with social work can manifest at the personal, interpersonal, social, and community levels.