Third-Way Theatre

ACT '4' CHANGE

"We change the horizon we look out on by working together"

Home

Third-Way Theatre (emergent ACTS)


Third-Way Theater's work is underpinned by Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) systemitised by the Brazilian artist, and activist, Augusto Boal, as well as the philosophical framing of an anti-binary model that seeks to explore issues outside the circular and warring lens of good/bad - right/wrong.

Power is present in all interactions, exchanges, and social arrangements. Through the use of TO tensions arising out of the misuse of power are examined, and challenged.

This is the work of TO; to interrogate and support the dismantling of cultures of dominance.  Participation in this work requires the telling of 'truths: new ways of listening, willingness to act on this, all of which is imperative to peace builidng and conflict transformation.


Why Theatre: theatre, as an embodied process, that can assist in exposing habituated thinking, thus supporting the capacity to uncover the depths of our voices, and desires for change.  Only through working with experiences that are 'othered', can there be  movement  beyond the "matrix".

 

When using theatre techniques to investigate 'given'reality, 'the community' is considered the experts on the struggles. Workshops provide community members opportunties to 'mould' and 'sculpt' through the body particular situations, emotions, or ideas that are disabiling. The body is the first and primary method of expression, and by using the body rather than speech, the normal 'blockades' and 'filters' can be be-by-passed.

Images, made through body sculpting  are dialectic, other participant members view the images created, and anaslye what they see. The act of interrogating and pluralsing understandings about  exploitative situations enabl the emergence and the articualtion of deeper knowings - giving voice to the myrid reality in which we find ourselves.

'Through image making and other techniques, 'theatre becomes a laboratory' through which to consciously and critically reflect, engage, and act on socio-political issues. Forum Theatre, one of the arsenal of TO techqniues,  is used bycommunitties to analyse the consequences of injustice - systemic violence in order to identify and de-code the normalising narratives and advance rights. It always involves a wider audience. Communities, work to re-represent experiences so that a wider audience can create strategies needed to advance and advocate for change through inter/active interventions and discussion. Audience members become part of the theatrical experience, as spectactors. They can stop a performance, replace characters whose struggles they understand,  support critical reflection and analysis. In this coming together,  dialogue occurs about changes that are needed from the perspective of lived experiences.

por nuestros sueños de paz y justicia