Why use it?

The strategy breaks through the barrier between performers and audience, putting them on an equal footing. It enables participants to try out courses of action which could be applicable to their everyday lives. Originally the technique was developed by Boal as a political tool for change (part of the Theatre of the Oppressed), but has been widely adapted for use in educational contexts.

What is Forum Theatre?

The dramatic action switches quickly between two scenes in the same space.

This technique was pioneered by Brazilian radical Augusto Boal. A play or scene, usually indicating some kind of oppression, is shown twice. During the replay, any member of the audience (‘spect-actor’) is allowed to shout ‘Stop!’, step forward and take the place of one of the oppressed characters, showing how they could change the situation to enable a different outcome.

Several alternatives may be explored by different spect-actors. The other actors remain in character, improvising their responses. A facilitator (Joker) is necessary to enable communication between the players and the audience.

Introducing Augusto Boal

Three full-length practical sessions introducing the work of the Brazilian theatre maker who revolutionised theatre. The article introduces the concept of Image Theatre, Forum Theatre and Theatre of the Oppressed and includes activities such as The Great Game of Power, Status Pictures, Flashbacks, Complete the Image and Rainbow of Desire as well as a handy glossary. Originally published in Teaching Drama magazine.

Click the button to download the full 5-page Augusto Boal Drama Unit (PDF) for just £4.97 with PayPal.

Browse all the Drama Strategies!

3D Living Pictures

Bring pictures to life through freeze frames, thought tracking and improvisation.

Action Clip

Action Clip is a quick way to bring a freeze frame to life – with no preparation!

Conscience Alley

One person walks down an alleyway made by the group and listens to thoughts or advice.

Cross-Cutting

What is Cross Cutting? The dramatic action switches quickly between two scenes in the same space. Cross-cutting (also called split-screen)

Developing Freeze Frames

Exciting ways to use freeze frames across the curriculum and in performance.

Flashbacks and Flash Forwards

What are Flashbacks and Flash Forwards? Expand on a freeze-frame to create the before and after. Performers in a scene

Forum Theatre

Why use it? The strategy breaks through the barrier between performers and audience, putting them on an equal footing. It

Freeze Frames

Freeze frames (also known as still images and tableaux) are a fast and effective method to use with any age.

Hot Seating

A character is questioned by the group about his or her background, behaviour and motivation.

Hot Spotting

An amazingly fun and easy way to mix up hot-seating and freeze frames to develop characters

Image Theatre

Image Theatre is the use of still images (freeze-frames) to explore abstract concepts such as relationships and emotions, as well

Mantle of the Expert

Mantle of the Expert involves the creation of a fictional world where students assume the roles of experts in a

Marking the Moment

Marking the Moment is a dramatic technique used to highlight a key moment in a scene or improvisation. This can

Narration

Narration is a technique whereby one or more performers speak directly to the audience to tell a story, give information

Role on the Wall

Role on the wall is a collaborative activity for developing thoughts and ideas about a character.

Role Play

Role play is the ability to suspend disbelief by stepping into another character’s shoes.

Soundscapes

The group is conducted to create a sound picture or “soundscape” using their voices and bodies.

Spotlight

Spotlighting is a useful teaching technique for sharing improvised drama when you have divided the class into smaller groups. When

Storytelling

Storytelling is one of the simplest and perhaps most compelling forms of dramatic and imaginative activity. A good place to

Teacher in Role

Teacher in role (TiR) is an invaluable technique for shaping the dramatic process and developing students’ learning. Simply put, the

Thought Tracking

A way to speak aloud the thoughts or feelings of a character in a freeze-frame.

Whoosh activity: Teaching Shakespeare | Royal Shakespeare Company

Whoosh! Bringing Stories Alive through Drama

An interactive technique in which participants become characters and objects in a story as it is told.

3D Living Pictures

Bring pictures to life through freeze frames, thought tracking and improvisation.

Action Clip

Action Clip is a quick way to bring a freeze frame to life – with no preparation!

Conscience Alley

One person walks down an alleyway made by the group and listens to thoughts or advice.

Cross-Cutting

What is Cross Cutting? The dramatic action switches quickly between two scenes in the same space. Cross-cutting (also called split-screen)

Developing Freeze Frames

Exciting ways to use freeze frames across the curriculum and in performance.

Flashbacks and Flash Forwards

What are Flashbacks and Flash Forwards? Expand on a freeze-frame to create the before and after. Performers in a scene

Forum Theatre

Why use it? The strategy breaks through the barrier between performers and audience, putting them on an equal footing. It

Freeze Frames

Freeze frames (also known as still images and tableaux) are a fast and effective method to use with any age.

Hot Seating

A character is questioned by the group about his or her background, behaviour and motivation.

Hot Spotting

An amazingly fun and easy way to mix up hot-seating and freeze frames to develop characters

Image Theatre

Image Theatre is the use of still images (freeze-frames) to explore abstract concepts such as relationships and emotions, as well

Mantle of the Expert

Mantle of the Expert involves the creation of a fictional world where students assume the roles of experts in a

Marking the Moment

Marking the Moment is a dramatic technique used to highlight a key moment in a scene or improvisation. This can

Narration

Narration is a technique whereby one or more performers speak directly to the audience to tell a story, give information

Role on the Wall

Role on the wall is a collaborative activity for developing thoughts and ideas about a character.

Role Play

Role play is the ability to suspend disbelief by stepping into another character’s shoes.

Soundscapes

The group is conducted to create a sound picture or “soundscape” using their voices and bodies.

Spotlight

Spotlighting is a useful teaching technique for sharing improvised drama when you have divided the class into smaller groups. When

Storytelling

Storytelling is one of the simplest and perhaps most compelling forms of dramatic and imaginative activity. A good place to

Teacher in Role

Teacher in role (TiR) is an invaluable technique for shaping the dramatic process and developing students’ learning. Simply put, the

Thought Tracking

A way to speak aloud the thoughts or feelings of a character in a freeze-frame.

Whoosh! Bringing Stories Alive through Drama

An interactive technique in which participants become characters and objects in a story as it is told.

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Forum Theatre

Introducing Augusto Boal

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