Online Training Dates for 2021

Theatre of the Oppressed NYC is excited to announce our Branch Out Training series.  These online workshops are short (2-4 hour) trainings to sample Boal’s work outside of the Forum Theatre work for which our organization is best known.  Check out the offerings below and sign up for as many as you like!

Some important details:

• All training workshops will be hosted on Zoom.
• Use the links below to apply for each training separately. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.  Once you register you will be prompted to submit payment. This payment secures your spot.
• TONYC reserves the right to adjust the programming above due to low enrollment or other extenuating circumstances. Conversely, extra dates may be added in the event that capacity is full. Participants may request a full refund in the event of a canceled or rescheduled workshop.
• If you sign up for a training and can no longer attend please let us know ASAP so we can offer your spot to someone else. Training fees paid to TONYC are considered non-refundable during the 7 days before the training, and may not be credited to a future training. Exceptions will be considered at TONYC's discretion.

Branch Out Series

• Nov 9, 5pm - 7pm: Online Games Mini-Jam (REGISTRATION FULL, waitlist open)
• Nov 19, 11am - 1pm: Channeling the News (REGISTRATION FULL)
• Dec 2 - 3: Rainbow of Desire/ Cops in the Head Retreat (REGISTRATION FULL)
• Dec 10: Bridging the Gap: Legislative Theatre Retreat (REGISTRATION FULL)

To receive updates, sign up for our training mailing list at: http://www.tonyc.nyc/newsletter. If you are interested in bringing our Jokers to facilitate a training at your organization, please fill out the workshop request form on our workshops page.

ONLINE GAMES MINI-JAM 

Much of Boal’s work involved taking theatre games that he already knew and using them as a social metaphor to open up a particular kind of dialogue. COVID-19 forced TONYC Jokers into similar territory: We've learned to adapt the games with which we were familiar as well as learn new Zoom icebreakers and turn them into activities for consciousness-raising. We invite you to a 2-hour experience where you’ll demo some of our favorite new online "de-mechanization" games followed by some training on how to make your own Theatre of the Oppressed games. Bring questions and exercises you'd like to try out. Best suited for individuals with some experience facilitating theatre exercises.

Times/Dates: November 9th @ 5pm - 7pm (Eastern Time)

Facilitated by: Maddox Guerilla & Gariyana Williams

Sliding Scale: $15 - $85

This Training is full. Add your name to the waitlist here: https://forms.gle/YZxoqg9XRLYKw3jC7

CHANNELING THE NEWS

Over the past several years, we’ve been introduced to terms like “fake news” and “alternative facts.”  For this reason, TONYC’s Joker team has recently taken a deeper dive into Newspaper Theatre, Boal’s series of techniques for transforming non-dramatic texts (like newspaper articles) into a theatrical performance. Join us for a two-hour workshop where we’ll explore how to gamify different texts in rehearsal and channel the news & media --combined with our lived experience -- into art for social change. No experience necessary.

Times/Dates: November 19th @ 11am - 1pm (Eastern Time)

Facilitated by Liz Morgan and Julian Pimiento

Sliding Scale: $15 - $85

Registration is FULL.

RAINBOW OF DESIRE/COPS IN THE HEAD RETREAT

Rainbow of Desire & Cops in the Head are a related series of theater exercises from Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed. These techniques facilitate the examination of internalized oppressive mental models in our communities by externalizing them as forces of oppression, or "cops." In this work, we theatrically brainstorm ways to fight these cops and ultimately gain more clarity about our will and desires. Spend two back-to-back sessions with TONYC Jokers to develop scenes based on personal experiences or challenges, and investigate the social forces within our society that block effective communication and community development.

No experience necessary.

Content Warning: This is group work and likely to bring up difficult memories. The retreat may be therapeutic but as it is not therapy, participants will be asked to self-manage triggers.

Times/Dates: December 2nd 6pm - 8pm AND December 3rd 10am - 12pm (four hours total, Eastern Time)

Facilitated by:Spark LeoNimm and Omari Soulfinger

Sliding Scale: $35 - $125

Registration is full.

BRIDGING THE GAP: LEGISLATIVE THEATRE RETREAT

Experience the core structure and dramaturgy of Forum Theatre with an interactive demo and launch into discovering what additional tools and analyses are needed to turn a play about real-life situations into an opportunity for policy-generating.  Whether you’re seeking to abolish oppressive legislation or are curious about changing unofficial rules or practices that impact your community, legislative theatre is a powerful way to approach participatory democracy.  Participants will walk away understanding “WatchActVote” the basic steps of Legislative Theatre, and tips for how to use these techniques in their own work.

No experience necessary

Times/Dates: December 10th 10am -12pm AND 2pm-4pm (four hours total, Eastern Time)

Facilitated by: Sulu LeoNimm and Letitia Bouie

Sliding Scale: $35 - $125

Registration is full.