Dates: July 7th-9th, 2017 - Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 10am-5pm

Location: Long Island City, Queens.

Description: This training is for community organizers, artists, TONYC actors, students and engaged New Yorkers who plan to apply Forum Theatre to their efforts to engage groups in action towards social change.

The three days journey through the process of building and performing a Forum Theatre play from start to finish. This includes playing games from the arsenal of Theatre of the Oppressed; telling and choosing stories of oppression; using Aesthetics of the Oppressed (clean trash sculpture, etc) to explore the story and the issues; and applying rehearsal games. We will examine the theory and politics of the work while staying firmly rooted in practice. Participants have the opportunity to practice jokering a Forum play and teaching back the games to the group, and receive constructive feedback from the group. We will take time to address a variety of questions that arise when working with different communities. At the conclusion of the training, we'll share original Forum plays with friends and colleagues. Participants will receive a packet of notes from the training that includes games, exercises, and an outline for jokering a forum performance.

Application: Please complete this form. Applications received by May 31st will receive a response by June 5th. Applications received after May 31st will be reviewed on a rolling basis if spaces remain open.

Fees: The training fees contribute to TONYC's costs for organizing this training as well as to our Forum Theatre Troupes. Applicants who are offered a spot will be asked to reserve it by sending a $50.00/person deposit by June 9th. Deposits and training fees paid to TONYC are non-refundable after June 23rd and may not be credited to a future training. Exceptions will only be considered at TONYC's discretion.

Standard Rate: $400.00/person

Half-price scholarship rate: $200.00/person
This rate is open to individual applicants, as well as applicants coming from an organization. To apply for this rate, please fill out the scholarship section of the application. Information in this section will be private and shared only with the review team. Note: we have not posted a dollar-based qualification for a scholarship, because we understand that multiple factors may define ability to pay. We are holding about a third of the training spots for applicants at this rate.

For individuals, TONYC will evaluate factors that prevent someone from having funds to pay the standard fee, including net monthly income after living expenses, access to resources, and a current situation. It is possible to find online calculators and worksheets by searching "personal monthly budget calculator". (We also recommend the net household income worksheet used by Third Root Community Health Center as a tool to evaluate calculate this - available for download here. We do not request that worksheet on the application.)

For organizational applications, TONYC will evaluate organizational or program budget information. If you are an organization planning to apply for more than one person, please email Sophie at [email protected] to confirm the best process for applying.
Full scholarships with a meal/travel stipends are available for five actors currently participating in a TONYC troupe. No deposit is required. TONYC actors should contact their troupe joker for information about applying for a free training spot.

For any questions about this training, please contact Sophie Nimmannit at [email protected].