Popular belief is that the theatre exists for entertainment purposes. It can comment on society and possibly raise awareness of issues, but its main purpose is to provide amusement and distraction from daily life. However, the Hippodrome State Theatre is hosting a two-day workshop by Julian Boal, director and innovator of the Theatre for Social Change. He will be using techniques from the Theatre of the Oppressed, specifically Forum and Legislative Theatre. The workshop will take place Wednesday, May 19
from 1-6 p.m. and Thursday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Forum Theatre presents a scene where the protagonist encounters a situation of oppression in which he or she fails. Next, the "spect-actors" in the audience help recreate the scene with suggestions on how to remedy the situation using possibilities that exist outside the theatre. Legislative Theatre tries to make citizen desires into actual laws. After a Forum session, the group creates a mock-Chamber and perform a ritual of lawmaking. At the end, suggestions are collected and pressure is put on the true lawmakers to put legislation into action. It creates an environment where actors (and nonactors are welcome to join) can come up with real solutions to real problems on a local level. The workshop is open to everybody, but there is only space for 30 participants. The cost for both days of the workshop is $60. There is a final performance on Thursday at 6:30 that is free and open to the public.
from 1-6 p.m. and Thursday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Forum Theatre presents a scene where the protagonist encounters a situation of oppression in which he or she fails. Next, the "spect-actors" in the audience help recreate the scene with suggestions on how to remedy the situation using possibilities that exist outside the theatre. Legislative Theatre tries to make citizen desires into actual laws. After a Forum session, the group creates a mock-Chamber and perform a ritual of lawmaking. At the end, suggestions are collected and pressure is put on the true lawmakers to put legislation into action. It creates an environment where actors (and nonactors are welcome to join) can come up with real solutions to real problems on a local level. The workshop is open to everybody, but there is only space for 30 participants. The cost for both days of the workshop is $60. There is a final performance on Thursday at 6:30 that is free and open to the public.
