The Theatre of the Oppressed is theatre in this most archaic application of the word. In this usage, all human beings are Actors (they act!) and Spectators (they observe!).
Augusto BoalRead
Theatre has nothing to do with buildings or other physical constructions. Theatre - or theatricality - is the capacity, this human property which allows man to observe himself in action, in activity. Man can see himself in the act of seeing, in the act of acting, in the act of feeling, the act of thinking. Feel himself feeling, think himself thinking.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Theatre is an intrinsic human ability to reflect on our own actions and emotions.
In this quote, Augusto Boal emphasizes that theatre transcends mere physical structures; it represents a fundamental aspect of humanity's capacity for self-reflection. He suggests that through theatre, individuals can observe and understand their own thoughts, feelings, and actions, engaging in a deeper level of awareness about their existence and interactions.
Themes
TheatreSelf-ReflectionHumanityArtPerformance
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on the importance of acting as a means of self-discovery.
More from Augusto Boal
All quotes →The theater is a weapon, and it is the people who should wield it.
Augusto BoalRead
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