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

SUBMIT A COMMENT

Special thanks to Dr Jennifer, and her team for having visited these forgotten war victims.
You've done great job, and hope your decision for partnering with these dedicated young boys and girls will change, solve delete human sufferings, especially in African troubled countries.
May God bless everyone who supported Dr Jennifer and her team, and also May God increase many people like Dr Jennifer, Eric, Beth, and Jeanne to join those who are facing much problems, and reach those who may help to solve these problems.
I hope everyone us pray so hard for God will to our determination of changing our Homeland Africa.
We will if we be given chance, and support.
Thanks once again,
God bless you.
(Enoch, Canada - April 2010)

What is so special about Jen's workshops is the aspect of regeneration and the insights we gain on our own understanding of the world around us. The fact that I can encounter people I met in a previous workshop and feel like we have been friends for... ever! The self reflection and the sense of something inside having changed after a workshop, make these so much more than just a training in Boal techniques. Jen captures the essence of Theatre of the Oppressed, that is often quite easy to miss.
(Tess, UK/Brazil - March 2010)

The weekend of workshops in Singapore was particularly helpful for me, as someone who has studied Boal primarily in an academic context. The sessions brought alive the practical possibilities of working with the myriad tools of the Theatre of the Oppressed and the dynamic way these tools can be employed in a variety of contexts. A valuable experience and a weekend well spent.
(Jo, Singapore - February 2010)

Dr. Hartley talked to our IB first year students during their IB retreat last week. The students had finished 4 hours of rock climbing, repelling, trekking and swimming just prior to the talk. Jennifer was scheduled in a very warm room and I was worried about student nodding off or at least losing focus. For 45 minutes, students and we teachers listened intently to the story of Joseph and his inspiration to the Theatre versus Oppression organization. At the end of her talk, Jennifer asked if there were any questions. I looked around at students who were obvious deep in thought and trying desperately to grasp and digest the story of Creativity, Action and Service they had just heard. One hand went up and the question that followed summed up the value of Jennifer’s talk and the work of the organization,…………’ How can we help?”

Earlier in the week, Jennifer had conducted over 30 hours of workshops with our Year 7 though 11 students. She left our Drama students excited about theatre and how games can contribute to understanding. She left us Drama teachers with a wealth of material to enhance our classes, productions and teaching in the future. She organized a Forum Theatre performance with our students to highlight some of the pressures our students confront in the international community. She did a special workshop with our boarding students to help them communicate problems they were facing as boarders. She made her week at Uplands a highlight of the year for all of us. But perhaps most important and impressive was the sincerity of the student’s question and the expressions of agreement and came from everyone in the room as he asked and we echoed, “How can we help?”
(Randy, Malaysia - February 2010)

I must admit it was hard giving up an entire weekend but I am really glad I did. Jennifer's Theatre of the Oppressed workshops were incredibly inspiring and beneficial to my work as an educator with youths. More than just learning theatrical techniques and skills, the exercises made us go deep into ourselves as individuals as well. Very thought-provoking and refreshing!
(Kenneth, Singapore - February 2010)

My class had the privilege of meeting Dr Hartley and have masterclasses with her. This experience widened my perception of the arts, in particular theatre. Also, i was inspired by what she did and the stories she told. In short, it was an eye-opening experience for me and I would like to thank her very very much. We enjoyed your classes!
(Shifaa, Singapore - January 2010)

I enjoyed listening to Jason's interview and also looking at the pictures in Kyangwali. I had the pleasure of communicating with Jennifer Hartley about Kyangwali. She asked me questions in preparation. Our organization also works in Kyangwali, funding the orphanage/kindergarten where they stayed, among other projects. Thank you for your great work.
(Beth (@ Think Humanity), USA - December 2009)

Having completed the three day course for actors and the five day ToO course I have a newfound understanding of the Theatre of the Oppressed and the unique ideas founded by Augusto Boal. Jennifer is truly an inspirational teacher and facilitator and has developed these ideas in her own ways that work exeptionally well and make it easy for all participants to understand and grow within themselves. Jennifer creates a safe, creative environment making it possible for anyone to take steps that help one to understand a deeper sense of self and ones own actions in response to the issues that surround us. An inspirational experience - thankyou.
(Andrea, UK - November 2009)

It is clear from the comments below that Jennifer and Theatre versus Oppression are doing a great job working to help many people directly.
Jennifer also stands out as leader of training courses for those of us wishing to learn more about TO and perhaps to put it into practice and assist others ourselves. In this capacity, she is selfless and inspirational. Thank you
(Stuart, UK - October 2009)

Long live THEATRE VERSUS OPPRESSION for the wonderful work and you are doing on this planet.
I learned a lot from the workshop in Kyangwali and know know what I learned I am applying it here in CANADA where i am schooling and every one is happy for the knowledge I have and that knowledge if from Jennifer who taught me how
to deal with the community and currently I am at college working on disciplinary committee at school.  This is amazing to me yet I have stayed here for only two weeks.
(James, Canada - October 2009)

The song is amazing and watching them especially the guy who is dancing is great. Makes us all feel a part of it. Great work.
(Rebecca, UK - September 2009)

I would encourage anyone who is wanting to learn and expand as a human and as a practitioner to do learn with Jen. I feel expanded by the course and am grateful for that. Thank you.
(Ruth, UK - September 2009)

Thank you. I am very happy to have attended this seminar. I have benefitted in the way that I have gained more skills. I have understood that I need to listen more to people and work together to find solutions to problems.  I have also gained the knowledge of replacing someone who is oppressed. By putting on their shoes we can look at the problem as a community and look for a solution together. Lastly something which is very important for me at the time I joined I was very tired yet I now feel younger because of this type of approach. And through the games I even forgot I was a refugee. When I came I asked the others how are the seminars and they all said they had never been in seminars like this and they were learning a lot.  Please keep coming again.
(Benson, Uganda - August 2009)

I thank Jennifer for making the promise a reality and I thank my community members for joining me. When I invited Jennifer I didn’t know who would attend, all of you came and made a big sacrifice. We have come together, shared ideas and made teamwork, we must keep this network together. Some are coming from so far, it is showing your spirit for the community that you are here. As we have been saying small changes together can make a big change. I am happy and excited for the whole group.
(Joseph, Uganda - August 2009)

I want to thank Joseph for inviting you all to come. When Joseph left for South Africa I thought he was going as an individual for personal gain but now it is clear he went as part of our community and never forgot us. I have learned a lot especially listening skills with others problems. When you reach your home tell others about us, tell them our story, help us build our community. And next time come for longer.
(Wilson, Uganda - August 2009)

Thank you Joseph for bringing the white people! My grandfather told me that white people eat black people so when you see them run. I came here I kept sitting next to Jennifer to see if she would try to bite me but she never did! I proved it was wrong, Jennifer didn’t bite me and she is a human being just like him. We are all the same. Now I will tell the children they must go to school, I am an old man but I am learning. Come back please.
(Agustin, Uganda - August 2009)

Thank you Joseph for helping our community. I came for a workshop and played like a kid. Now am like a kid again, just been born again. I will use these methods to help our community. Bring us more.
(Moses, Uganda - August 2009)

I also thank Joseph. When we said farewell to Joseph we shed tears, I told him to be a good ambassador, sing our song, the song of Coburwas, now I know that he never forget us. He put his community first always. I am excited that you showed love for our community. We are the youth the future  of tomorrow, we must be empowered. Nothing is impossible. But we still have a long way to go. Tell people what you saw, they don’t understand they don’t know the suffering here. We don’t want you to leave.
(Bahati, Uganda - August 2009)

Thank you to all involved. For me I have learned many things like this method of giving lessons through games. It is good. I would never have thought this – it is like magic. The first day when you started to explain the games I realised this was a new way to learn. Come back, please come again.
(Patrick, Uganda - August 2009)

Thank you for what you have taught. Even though I borrowed money for transport to come here I have gained more than I borrowed.
(Cifa, Uganda - August 2009)

Thank you for bringing these kinds of seminars. When I heard about them I didn’t know what to do – should he give the time for the workshop or go to dig. But I do not regret the decision to come. I learned a lot. I want to organise these seminars because I am one of the new refugees and we need this.
(Jean, Uganda - August 2009)

I’m happy and at the same time sad. I am from Chaca (another refugee camp) and we have many problems and we need this training there also. It was not easy to travel to here.
(Israel, Uganda - August 2009)

I know now there is going to be a change in our community. 
(Anthony, Uganda - August 2009)

Thank you for your sacrifice to come and teach us and thank you Joseph for convincing them to come. I am a student who still needs to learn, so please don’t let this be the last time to come here.
(Tony, Uganda - August 2009)

Thank you for bringing this kind of workshop because we learned a lot, we learned how to live with others, how to work together, how to solve problems, how the weak and the strong can work and develop together.
(Justin, Uganda - August 2009)

This has been special training. I request that before we go change our community we change ourselves and our families and we can be the example. We get visitors time and time again but this visit has been different and I have learned so many things.
(DJ, Uganda - August 2009)

You were most welcome here. We need help and support from other countries. Please come back.
(Ambrose, Uganda - August 2009)

I am so happy that you came to help us and working in this wonderful group felt like sitting in the parliament with the president. We can use what we have learned to chase away ignorance and help people develop. I believe that spiritually we can improve. My mission is not only for myself and my family but also for my community.
(Elia, Uganda - August 2009)

I’m glad for having attended this workshop because we have attended many seminars and workshops but this one was unique. We have learned new tactics for solving our problems. Thank you.

I found the level 2, 5 day intensive course very enpowering and gained hugh insight into the human condition. The course was liberating and after gained new perspectives on my own life and behaviour. Now I am working towards liberating others from there own fear and disconnection. Thank you Augsto Boal for your work and the tools which you have left us. Thank you for the bold and honest Jennifer who puts TvO into action making it accesible to all.
(Monica, Wales - June 2009)

Three extremely stimulating and informative days. Of the many workshops/courses I attended during my career, this has been one of the most insightful and supportive I have experienced, not least because of Jennifer’s superb facilitation skills.
Although many of the principles of the workshop concepts and activities were familiar to me, I still learned an enormous amount from the context of their application. I'm certain this will be of enormous help in assisting me to develop a more considered approach to the intricate, complex structures and dynamics of characterisation. Thank you.
(Michael, UK - May 2009)

I am very proud of you.  You are a very special person
God and his Mother bless you.
(Anonymous, Paraguay - May 2009)

I have just completed the 3 day ToO workshop with Jennifer and have come away feeling very inspired and invigorated. Working in this way encapsulates all I love about theatre and having been quite disillusioned and exhausted I feel refreshed and ready to put this in my own work. ToO requires passion and commitment both of which Jennifer inspires in a way that draws the group together in a communal exploration. Many thanks!
(Ruth, UK - May 2009)

As actors directors always tell us to experiment, tell us they want to hear ideas but  they don't and we always do it their way. For the first time this weekend I found myself in an acting workshop where I was told this and it was true. I felt challenged but safe, stretched yet able to give more than I ever have. I wanted to be there. I wanted to learn. I want more. Thank you.
(Anonymous, UK - May 2009)

Jennifer Hartley visited our school and led 4 days of sessions with my Theatre group based on concepts and techniques from Theatre of the Oppressed. The days consisted of discussions, practical workshops and reflection including both social and political content relevant not only to this culture but those of the students involved. Jennifer initiated discussions that required students to challenge their current thinking and the perspectives that lead to forms of oppression (found both within us and in others). She was engaging, sincere and direct. Students were encouraged to reflect honestly and were challenged when responses seemed superficial or trite. Her approach created a wonderful environment for the group, one based on sincerity and productivity. As a teacher I was thrilled to see my students challenged in this manner. Jennifer introduced the students to numerous practical activities and performance opportunities. The activities were thought-provoking, exhausting and provided a great deal of enjoyment for the students and myself. She masterfully connected these activities to concepts within the practice and then allowed students opportunities to reflect on understanding, learning and development. The content for activities and performance were from external sources as well as those from the students’ lives. I was impressed to see how students responded to Jennifer’s choice of stimuli and to her creative ideas for performance development; she continuously offered insight and encouragement to the group and individuals in need. Again, from a teacher’s standpoint, I was thoroughly impressed with Jennifer’s ability to engage the students as well as challenge them in new and unique ways, ways that to this day they still acknowledge as having greatly impacted their understanding of this practice as well as its connection to their own lives. This was truly a unique encounter for the students and me, one that has inspired us to apply our experiences with Jennifer to other areas of the course, and even our lives.
Finally, Jennifer’s approach during the entire visit demonstrated to me not only the impressive practitioner that she is, but also the skills she possesses and the intelligence to challenge any group. I also must add how much I appreciated the insight she provided on the students throughout the workshops: group dynamics, areas of concerns, strengths and possibilities for further projects. This was an invaluable learning experience for my students and me, one that will not be forgotten.
(Jeff, Venezuela - March 2009)

Jennifer Hartley visited us at Graded School in Sao Paulo for workshops and classes.  Students and teachers from two other schools also participated and Jennifer swiftly and easily built a true ensemble with mixed ages, genders, schools, experience. She used fun and challenging theatre games to illustrate her point and she frequently invited questions.  Probably the most significant thing for the students was the higher degree of risk-taking and emotional commitment she challenged them to achieve. We had tears, laughter and everything in between.  Several students commented it was a life-changing experience for them.  Not only did they learn how theatre can be used to confront institutional or societal oppression, they learned how to confront the oppression within themselves. For the students this workshop was a valuable curricular experience, yes. But what Jennifer really offers is a workshop in "life".  Jennifer is a master teacher, director, writer, theatre practitioner. My advice:  confront whatever budget and time oppressors your school has and get Jennifer in for a workshop now!  An enlightening experience for all!
(Bruce McDonald, Brazil - March 2009)