THEATRE VERSUS OPPRESSION
Registered Charity SC039092
Using applied theatre to bring about positive change and development

5 day intensive training in Theatre of the Oppressed

14-18 June 2010 Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Wales Cost £350
(concessionary places available dependent on eligibility)

This intensive course will focus on a range of skills from the arsenal of Theatre of the Oppressed techniques (from Forum Theatre and the Joker to cop-in-the-head)). Participants will investigate the theory and practice of a range of techniques. The workshop will be responsive to the experiences of the participants. Issues around 'doing Forum' such as generating participation, stimulating audiences, 'difficult' interventions, working with particular constituencies, how and when to end a Forum show, will all be covered. In that way participants will work on devising and how to conduct a public Forum session. Games and exercises based around trust, confidence and group integration will be introduced enabling participants to lead workshop sessions within their own groups or communities and utilise the theory behind the games. As the group develops the trust and confidence to share stories, the work will progress from simple image work to development of forum and developments post forum. Participants will also have the opportunity to prepare a forum play in groups and 'joker' as well as participate as spectactors. This intensive week also looks at our three kinds of oppression – how we are oppressed by others, how we oppress others and how we oppress ourselves. A wonderful revision and refinement of techniques for those with previous experience, as well as the perfect grounding for beginners.  

Dr Jennifer Hartley: Jennifer has been running training in theatre of the oppressed, therapy, applied theatre and creative writing for over 15 years and across every continent. Her work has led to projects and facilitation work with varied groups from torture victims to their torturers; substance abuse to Aids; educational set ups, work in prisons, hospitals, with asylum seekers, youth, high school and university students …. Examples of some current projects can be seen on the website. Jennifer has taught at secondary and tertiary levels over the years and continues to act as a guest lecturer for a number of universities in the UK and abroad. In addition Jennifer writes and directs theatre based on social issues and matters arising from the project work with which she is involved and has a number of publications to her name. Jennifer, who trained extensively with Boal is also the founder and director of the registered charity organisation Theatre versus Oppression www.theatreversusoppression.com