The Eye & Tooth Project (Part 2): a Rolling Forum Theatre Project against the Death Penalty
Amnesty U.S. local group #23 / Houston is planning a project to promote dialogue and more effective advocacy for abolition of the death penalty in Texas. Beginning in fall 2008, we will conduct a series of drama-based workshops leading up to public performances in major cities across Texas. These workshop / performance events will use an exciting, audience-interactive format called Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) which Amnesty #23 introduced to Houston in 2003 with the Eye & Tooth Project (Part 1). This initial performance event explored the ethics of healing vs. revenge for the sake of closure, and effective ways to dialogue from an abolition perspective. The Eye & Tooth Forum (Part 1) was performed at the Main Street Theater in Rice Village / Houston TX on January 22nd 2003.
What is Theatre of the Oppressed & How Does It Work:
Theatre of the Oppressed was developed by Brazilian director, Augusto Boal, a renowned pioneer in the use of grassroots theatre to activate communities and promote dialogue and action on social issues. This body of techniques is now used on every continent in a variety of social contexts to untangle the dynamics of oppression and represent the real life consequences of unjust realities. TO draws participants from every walk of life; there is no requirement for prior acting experience, merely a deep connection with issues that form the theme of each workshop / performance event. Participants learn the TO approach to performance and create scenarios for a public production during an intensive weekend workshop. During a Theatre of the Oppressed performance - called a “Forum” by TO practitioners - audience members are encouraged to physically enter the drama to replace the central character and try to solve the theatrical problem their own way.
For in-depth information about TO, Augusto Boal and the geographic spread of TO practitioners and organizations visit www.theatreoftheoppressed.org (the virtual headquarters of the international movement) or www.ptoweb.org (the U.S. based Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed web site). The Arts in the Public Interest / Community Arts Network also archives many articles about TO and Augusto Boal at www.communityarts.net. One of these archived pieces, “Behind the Fence,” features a video showing how a typical Forum made up of multi-generational non-actors might look: (www.communityarts.net/readingroom/archivefiles/2008/02/behind_the_fenc.php.)
Where, What, When & How: Logistics for the Rolling Forum:
We have begun organizing the logistics for these TO Forums in Austin, Houston and Galveston with an additional Forum planned for Dallas / Ft. Worth. Kathleen Juhl (Southwestern University) is coordinating our efforts in Austin, Lidia Porto / Sheli Rae / John Sullivan in Houston, and John Sullivan in Galveston. These events will begin with an introductory meeting and mini-workshop to give participants a brief “taste of TO.” We hope that these introductory workshops will be finished by early November and we can begin serious planning for the Rolling Forum events; we project these events will begin in December 2008 and conclude by March 2009. Performance participants must commit to completing the entire weekend workshop (approximately 12 – 15 hours over Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday afternoon), and must be available to participate in the public performance. This performance usually occurs on Sunday evening or the very next (Monday) evening. It is a truly intense experience, but not drawn out over a number of weeks, and we guarantee that all participants will take away a wealth of shared experiences and a firm resolve to carry their commitment to abolition of the death penalty into their daily lives.
While actors are essential to the process, we also need organizational expertise, logistical wizardry and a variety of other talents to make the Rolling Forum a success. Anyone who works with an organization that supports abolition - like the Texas Coalition for Abolition of the Death Penalty (TCADP), Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation, G.R.A.C.E. The Innocence Project or Amnesty to name just a few - could serve as a networking hub for actors, volunteers and help take audience energy from the Forum onto the next level by connecting enthusiastic individuals with groups actively involved in the Texas abolition movement. If you are interested in participating in The Eye & Tooth Project (Part 2): a Rolling Forum Project against the Death Penalty or need additional information before you commit, please use the following contact points (with Rolling Forum on the subject line):
Email Contacts: jpatstx@gmail.com / Sheli Rae / John Sullivan / Kathleen Juhl
Phone Contacts: John Sullivan 409-370-1562 (cell) / Kathleen Juhl 512-297-8428 (cell).
Please watch this site for updates, complete schedules and elaborations of the big picture for the project.