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52 pages 1 hour read

Augusto Boal

Theatre of the Oppressed

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1977

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Theatre of the Oppressed by Augusto Boal explores a form of community-based education using theatrical techniques to promote social and political change, empowering individuals to transform their realities. Developed from Boal's experiences with Brazilian peasants and workers, this methodology encourages active participation, reflection, and dialogue to challenge oppression and stimulate collective action.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed has been lauded for its innovative, interactive approach to theater, empowering marginalized voices and fostering social change. Critics appreciate its practical techniques and philosophical depth but note its dense theoretical sections and challenging readability. Overall, it is widely regarded as a seminal, transformative work in theater studies.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Theatre of the Oppressed?

The ideal reader of Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed is someone interested in social justice, theater, and transformative pedagogy. This reader likely enjoys Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed and Bertolt Brecht’s theories. They seek innovative methods to address societal issues through performance and engagement.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years