by Katy Rubin

Since TONYC’s first year, we’ve been practicing what Augusto Boal called “multiplication,” and what our social justice-nonprofit colleagues call leadership development. Boal said that we should not be engaging in Theatre of the Oppressed only as ‘consumers,” that is, to liberate ourselves only; but also to get organized within our communities and share these tools with our neighbors.

by Mike Gee

Greetings. My name is Mike and when I began my journey with TONYC back in 2010 most people knew me as Monk. I am fortunate to have been a part of the original ensemble that is currently known as Concrete Justice, TONYC’s first and longest running troupe comprised of human beings who struggle with the challenges that come with the experience of homelessness. Over the years I have played several distinct roles within the organization as an actor, facilitator, board member, event host and most recently as a Criminal Justice Advocate.

by Katy Rubin

Almost a year ago, Theatre of the Oppressed NYC’s actors, facilitators, administrative staff and board huddled in the North Star Fund office (one of our most radical funders!) in midtown to reflect on the past 6 years and strategize for the coming 3+ years together. Nonprofits call this a “strategic planning process” but at TONYC, we hold a “Huddle” every summer to bring all our stakeholders together to reflect, critique, dream and act.

by Flora Newbigin, Programme Delivery Manager at Cardboard Citizens 

BRIC Arts in Brooklyn pulled a full house this week for the first performance of 99 Problems, the latest Forum play devised and performed by the troupe at Youth Organizing to Save Our Streets (YO S.O.S.). The piece highlighted the multiple pressures faced by young people in NYC today and the challenge of finding someone to talk to who actually wants to listen.

by Flora Newbigin, Programme Delivery Manager at Cardboard Citizens  

‘The Runaround’, a Forum Theatre performance exploring injustices in the health care system, was my first taste of the fantastic work of TONYC. I am visiting New York from London, where I work with Cardboard Citizens, a theatre company and charity working with homeless and ex-homeless individuals. Like TONYC, Cardboard Citizens work is rooted in Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed methodology and so I was keen to see familiar methods of Forum Theatre in action in a different context.