Forum Theatre
Your theatre.
Your voice.
Forum Theatre presents a dynamic opportunity to foster understanding and catalyse solutions to inequality in communities.
Our Forum Theatre production, They Took My Child, was an indepth experience that allowed audiences to look inside how social work processes can affect families from diverse backgrounds in disproportionate and biased ways.
What is Forum Theatre?
Forum Theatre is an interactive form of theatre where actors portray an original play that depicts an unresolved issue stemming from systemic oppression. Once the play concludes, the audience is encouraged to enter the performance, suggesting potential approaches to tackle the problem and interact with the antagonists, a process known as an Intervention.
TOScot forms "popular theatre troupes" to collaborate with local communities where we develop and perform original, interactive plays inspired by real-life challenges—the daily struggles they encounter. The aim is to engage peers in theatrical problem-solving, which can serve as a catalyst for tangible social action.
Building on the legacy of Augusto Boal
The approach to Forum Theatre we use originated in the 1970s through the pioneering efforts of the renowned Brazilian theatre director and activist, Augusto Boal.
Boal drew inspiration from Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Today, Boal's method, still serves as both activism and artistry. It is utilised in more than 70 nations globally.
“Theatre is a form of knowledge; it should and can also be a means of transforming society. Theatre can help us build our future, rather than just waiting for it.”
Augusto Boal
How does it work?
We collaborate with members of the community in local organisations to establish theatre groups. These groups create and present plays centred around their experiences with economic inequality, racism, and various social, health, and human rights issues. Following each performance, both actors and audience members participate in Forum Theatre, a theatrical brainstorming session. The goal is to spark innovative solutions and promote change on personal, communal, and political fronts. We specialsie in Anti-Racist Training in Scotland.
At the heart of our mission is the belief in a world where everyone can thrive, free from the barriers of systemic racism.
We are guided by the principles of Solidarity, Justice, and Liberation.
Through Solidarity, we bring together diverse communities to create lasting change, building strength in unity. Our commitment to Justice drives us to challenge inequality and champion justice for those most affected by discrimination. With Liberation as our goal, we work to create spaces where voices can be freely expressed, stories can be shared, and creativity can flourish. Together, we are shaping a more inclusive and equitable future.