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15 August 2026  |  30 August 2026

Theatre of the Oppressed - Introductory Level

Applications accepted until
24 July 2026
Short Course Coordinator:
Nozi Letswalo
Certification:
Certificate of Competence
Course dates
15 August 2026 - 30 August 2026
Applications close
24 July 2026
Overview
This course introduces participants to the pedagogy, principles, and theoretical foundations of Theatre of the Oppressed, an influential applied theatre practice developed by Augusto Boal. Through practical exercises and critical engagement with key thinkers such as Paulo Freire, Karl Marx, and Bertolt Brecht, participants explore how theatre can be used as a tool for dialogue, reflection, and social transformation. The course examines the nature and complexities of oppression while developing practical skills in techniques such as Image Theatre, Forum Theatre, and Jokering. By combining theory with performance-based learning, participants build the confidence and critical awareness needed to facilitate participatory theatre processes that encourage dialogue, critical thinking, and collective action. A quality-assured certificate from the University of the Witwatersrand is issued on successful completion.
Duration
2 Weeks
Format
2.5-hour classes per day over two weekends, followed by assessments
Pricing
VAT Incl. = R5,313.00

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Please complete the following info:

    The course content addresses the following topics:


    • Facets and perspectives of oppression        
    • Complexities of oppression
    • Freire's pedagogy of the oppressed
    • Karl Marx's social inequality theory 
    • Brecht's Epic Theatre 
    • 5 underlying principles and theories
    • Knowing the body
    • Making the body expressive
    • Theatre as language
    • Theatre as discourse
    • Identify, rehearse, analyse, reflect, and act
    • Underlying techniques of Theatre of the Oppressed
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