Forum theater is a tool generally used in companies, places of education such as high schools, schools, universities, etc. Thanks to forum theater, you have the opportunity to look into certain themes of capital importance.
Among the latter, you can identify, among other things, sexual harassment and addictions linked to the use of digital technology. In addition, certain other themes such as equality between men and women are also discussed. The goal is not actually to send a message. The real goal is to achieve together with the community real knowledge and understanding regarding these themes.
What is forum theater?
Forum theater is above all a theater as indicated by his name. He is considered as a communication tool, because thanks to him you have the possibility to express yourself. Note that you can use it according to your own values and beliefs.
It represents a means by which several people can come together to discuss a subject that concerns them. holds dear. For example, the forum theater in Grenoble through his sketches and shows encourages communication and the expression of ideas. This exchange generally takes place in a pleasant atmosphere.
Furthermore, the target audience of Forum theater takes into account a fairly wide range of individuals. You can see for example children as young as 6 years old or people aged 100 years. You can attend forum theater, whatever your situation (family or professional).
Additionally, you can choose the duration of the show. This duration can vary from 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes for example. This depends on your method of organization.
In addition, the shows at the forum theater are performed live. From there, the people who participate are encouraged to use the stage to express themselves directly. In addition, you should know that the content of each show is prepared to measure.
In fact, the content of the show is defined and prepared in advance depending on the audience who wants to attend. For example, topics on sexuality cannot be discussed in front of 6 year old children. These agreements are established between partners and project managers.
For example, what are the themes covered at the Forum Theater in Grenoble?
There is generally no No limits when it comes to the choice of themes addressed at forum theater. Indeed, all themes can be covered by the theater according to the wishes of the partners. Among the themes that can be addressed, note mainly:
- All kinds of violence, especially when committed against women, in the family, or at home;
- the fight against all forms of radicalization;
- relationships and work atmosphere;
- job searches and unemployment;
- end-of-life escort;
- radical climate change, etc.
What is the staging like at the forum theater in Grenoble?
Great rigor is established especially when it comes to staging. Indeed, for the production of theatrical plays, two methods are generally used.
Using static images
During the show, the filmmaker can use images and colored objects generally static. However, these images will speak throughout the show. Everything is taken into account, whether it is distance, volume or even lines. All for a spectacular result and a more fluid understanding.
Use of kinetic images
At this level, use is made kinetic image of all the characters. Indeed, the characters in the show taken individually constitute the image of each movement. This must be a certain amount of realism and for that, everything is calculated.
As controlled parameter, note where the character goes, how each object is touched, how the character walks, etc. Furthermore, in the show, the character who is the victim of oppression generally presents a certain resistance.
In addition, each image taken individually must be a personality that some can identify with. Besides that, note that most of the time there are no ornaments.
Classes and workshops at the forum theater in Grenoble
Theater classes and workshops are available. Taking these courses is not necessarily intended to make you become an actor. The real goal is that you can please yourself, that you can express more clearly what you feel.
Taking these courses allows you to know how to edit artistic programs with great ease. In addition, it allows you to consolidate your character as well as your self-confidence during your interactions.
Furthermore, there is also workshops for early childhood and childhood. During these workshops, real work is done, particularly on the body, the voice, and the emotions. However, note that the program is not the same for all children.
In fact, for children aged 2 to 5, the work is more focused on discovery. Children are taught about animals, music, stories, puppets, etc. Furthermore, for children aged 7 to 12, the program is more advanced.
It is based in particular on the theater of texts, forum theater. Without forgetting that they are already required to represent characters and create stories.
History of forum theater
The director par excellence and founder of this formula is none other than the famous Augusto Boal. This intriguing and interesting character is a novelist, a theoretician and also a modern politician in Brazil.
This illustrious person was born in 1935. He was very present on the stages especially in the middle of the 20th century. Furthermore, he entered the world of acting in 1956 more precisely when he was 25 years old. A few years later, he held the position of artistic director as well as director.
This promotion was made to him in the city of Sao Paulo at the Aréna theater. He worked in this theater until 1964. He ended up leaving it to create an ordinary and common theater.
Furthermore, he had to put a break on these theatrical activities of a social nature between 1964 and 1968. This break was motivated by the coups that took place during this period. This situation in no way discouraged Augusto who was also writing a book.
He published this book entitled “The theater of the oppressed” in 1971. After that, he was forced into exile, which led him to travel to Paris. There, he continued his work and even created a theater center in 1979 which he named “Center for the Theater of the Oppressed”.
Additionally, during the 1970s, the famous Augusto Boal traveled throughout South America. From there he experimented several types of theatrical styles. It was also during these years that he organized the first international festival of the theater of the oppressed which took place in Paris.
Always with a view to innovation, Augusto began to take a closer interest in a form of so-called therapeutic theater in 1981. Once Brazil regained political stability, he returned to Brazil where he was appointed mayor of the city of Rio Janeiro. This responsibility did not prevent him from always nourishing his love for the theater since he now practiced “legislative theater”.
A popular education forum theater in Grenoble
The theater of the oppressed establishes a very close link with developments in education. In fact, he is being talked about for the very first time in France. This is the place where he has his roots, having built a solid foundation there.
It can also be affirmed that from there, the theater of the oppressed was established and developed far from a culture of an artistic nature. However, common education and original theater were excluded from the field of culture.
This sidelining was noted with the establishment of a ministry responsible for dealing with cultural affairs in Malraux in 1964. Since then, they have been welcomed without real interest.
Furthermore, it only took a few weeks to see the Ministry of Cultural Affairs metamorphose into the ministries of professional artists. However, until today, the “Youth and Sports” firms maintained their partnerships regarding theater of the oppressed organizations.
What is the consequence of a collaboration between theater of the oppressed organizations and “youth and sports” offices?
The CTO (Center for Theater of the Oppressed)) proceeds to redefine its independence in the face of a rapprochement between speeches of a social nature and those of a cultural nature. Indeed, the theater of the oppressed is mobilizing in several areas. As a result, the actors as well as the representative characters are not the same.
It is precisely from this moment that the actors considered as principals of the theater of the oppressed will constitute its direction. A direction whose objective will be to promote cultural development. Note also that there are several networks, but of a local nature, as well as several centers dedicated to young people and culture.
Furthermore, it is clear that this decision to concentrate the CTO’s work is paying off. A decision which is based on the establishment of a link between social activities and cultural activities.