Feminist Aesthetics for Political Poetics:

TEATRO DE LAS OPRIMIDAS

The book “Teatro de las Oprimidas – feminist aesthetics for political poetics” offers an in-depth presentation of the investigative processes initiated in 2010. Alongside a comprehensive breakdown of the repertoire of original exercises, games, and techniques, as well as a series of adaptations rooted in the Theatre of the Oppressed method systematized by Augusto Boal, this book provides practical demonstrations of the method’s applicability. It draws upon the real-world experiences of various theater groups spanning different regions of the world to illustrate its effectiveness and its nuanced adaptation to local social systems. 

The book delves into the challenges and discoveries made during practical applications and theoretical formulation of a theatrical methodology dedicated to the portrayal of oppressions intertwined with the intersections of gender, race and class, all from a structural standpoint. Its primary objective is to reframe perceptions of oppression and the associated responsibility to initiate change, all while avoiding the pitfalls of individualizing the issue or assigning blame to the people who contend with it.

This publication delineates the strategies for enacting a theatrical dialogue that is both horizontal and contextual in nature. Its aim is to foster a collaborative atmosphere among audience members during Forum Theatre, enabling collective interactions. In this dynamic, each individual, drawing from their unique social standing and position, collaborates with others to collectively craft and improvise alternatives to the problem being portrayed on stage. 

The book also explores the work of the Ma-g-dalena International Network, comprising theater groups and artist-activists from Latin America, Europe and Africa. These groups collaborate on local, regional and international initiatives, employing feminist aesthetics from an anti-racist, decolonial, and community perspective.  Their goal is to secure and extend the rights of women, with the aim of a view to dismantling patriarchy. As a feminist movement, the Network seeks to rectify gender disparities in prominent and leadership roles within the realms of artistic production and activist endeavors.

The book was originally released in Portuguese in 2019, translated into Spanish in 2020, and finally translated into English in 2023.

To acquire a copy of the book, interested readers can reach out to KURINGA directly for purchase options and further information: kuringa@kuringa.org