In this one-day participatory workshop, you will have an opportunity to process current events of your choosing through Augusto Boal’s Theater of the Oppressed techniques, practices that are designed for use by any and all individuals and communities to help develop their own tools for social justice. Each participant is encouraged to bring a newspaper article that they are interested in exploring. Using the articles as a starting point, the group will use physical images to reflect on how the news affects them, explore dramatic reading techniques to uncover and discuss new meanings, and then transform the news into a short piece of theater as a group. Everyone is welcome to participate at their comfort level, and no prior theater experience is needed.

“Perhaps the theater is not revolutionary in itself, but it is surely a rehearsal for the revolution." - Augusto Boal

Dates:

Wednesday, August 20 from 5 - 6:30 p.m. PT

Wednesday, August 26 from 5 - 6:30 p.m. PT

Ages: For adult participants, with ages 17+ welcome

Teaching Artist: Nabra Nelson

Nabra Nelson is the Director of Arts Engagement at Seattle Rep and is a community organizer and theater creator from Egypt, Nubia, and California. As an arts administrator, director, playwright, dramaturg, and teaching artist, she works with theaters, universities, and community organizations to create positive change, strengthen community, and amplify under-heard voices through theater. She is a founding company member of Dunya Productions and Heard Space Arts Collective, and is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Workshop Limit: 25 registrants

Accessibility: If you would like to request an ASL interpreter for the workshop, or any other accommodations related to accessibility, please send your request at least 24 hours (if possible) before the workshop to Nabra Nelson.

Platform: Zoom (link to be sent within 24 hours of registration)

Suggested Donation: $10 

Questions? Contact Nabra Nelson.

This is the first workshop in a pilot Theater of the Oppressed-based program. Stay tuned for more workshops that examine racial equity, social justice, and current events via self-reflection and community conversations through theater.

^{Pictured: R. Hamilton Wright and Annette Toutonghi in Ibsen in Chicago (2018). Photo by Alan Alabastro.}