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Theatre of the Oppressed Qualification Course

Since 2013 KURINGA offers theoretical and practical bases for the understanding of the Theatre of the Oppressed method as a whole, underlining its feminist perspective for the development of its praxis: critical analysis and aesthetic representation of the reality for the creation of spaces for dialogue.

The theoretical part includes the main concepts that structure the core of the method which is an essential content for the adequate development of each of its several techniques.

The practical bases are composed by exercises, games and techniques that constitute aesthetic strategies allowing the identification and investigation of the areas of interest of the target groups. The methodology aims at investigating the contextual dimensions of the problems identified in order to frame the question of the group and produce its Forum Theatre play.

The Qualification Course is based on the Aesthetics of the Oppressed and is structured by the dramaturgy of the Theatre of the Oppressed, using various techniques such as Image Theatre, Forum Theatre and Newspaper Theatre.

The course is designed and facilitated by Bárbara Santos, who was colleague of Augusto Boal in Brazil for two decades as general coordinator of the Centre of Theatre of the Oppressed (CTO) working in the design, implementation, coordination, supervision and evaluation of training programs in several countries and as a collaborator in artistic productions, as well as in the investigation, conception and development of Legislative Theatre and Aesthetics of the Oppressed.

The Qualification Course in Berlin is implemented with Christoph Leucht and Till Baumann, long-term collaborators of Bárbara and co-founders of KURINGA – Space for Theatre of the Oppressed.

The KURINGA Qualification combines the theoretical deepening with practical experiences, contributing to the consistent development of the praxis of the method. This initiative aims at producing a base for a consistent and reliable curriculum for permanent qualification  in the Method of Theatre of the Oppressed and to stimulate the groundwork for the transformation of reality through formation of and exchange between TO community groups.

Theoretical contents:

  • The Tree of Theatre of the Oppressed (an overview of the method)
  • Oppression (as a fundamental concept of the method)
  • Social Context / ASCESE / Metaphor (the contextual approach for theatre production)
  • Aesthetic of the Oppressed (the path of artistic process and production)

Practical contents:

  • Image Theatre and Forum Theatre: framing the question
  • IMAGE: Aesthetics of the Oppressed
  • Sound / Rhythm: Aesthetics of the Oppressed
  • WORD: Aesthetics of the Oppressed
  • Dramaturgy
  • Newspaper Theatre – how to develop the contextual approach

Knowledge and experience are developed through collective artistic productions, which are a practical application of the theoretical concepts, and can become a reference for the multiplication process. Furthermore, the Laboratory of Dramaturgy support the whole learning process.

For more info about the Qualification Course 2024 and its program click here

The course is open for everyone who wants to deepen their knowledge and develop a practice in Theatre of the Oppressed using its feminist perspective and is interested in the Aesthetics of the Oppressed.