TONYC has reimagined our public training model to integrate learnings from creating a workbook and facilitating during a pandemic

To receive updates about our trainings and workshops, sign up for our mailing list. If you are interested in having our trained Joker team facilitate a private training for your organization, please fill out the workshop request form on our private workshops and residencies page.

Please note that TONYC does not have specific recommendations for lodging in the city. Please use sites such as Expedia, Booking.com or Hotels.com to find appropriate accommodations for your out-of-town visit.


Intro to Theatre of the Oppressed

Date/time: April 03, 2025 at 6:00pm - 8pm

Location: Midtown Manhattan

Facilitator: Julián Pimiento

Sliding scale: $35-80

Creativity is the key to transformation. An Intro to Theatre of the Oppressed workshop will allow you to experience the power of embodied play!  Our experienced facilitators will lead you through a series of games, discussions, and role-play improvisation. The experience will be an opportunity to share power and build trust, equipping you with tools to educate, empower, and mobilize others in new ways.  This will lay the foundation for collectively brainstorming actionable next steps in the face of interpersonal conflict or institutional injustice. Each activity and debrief discussion is designed to help communities reflect deeply on the status quo and how we maintain or change it.

Participants will be required to do a COVID symptom screening and stay masked or submit proof of a negative rapid test.

TONYC reserves the right to adjust the programming above due to low enrollment or other extenuating circumstances. Participants may request a full refund in the event of a canceled or rescheduled workshop.

Online Legislative Theatre Training

Date/time: May 09, 2025 at 1:30pm - 4pm ET

Location: Zoom

Facilitators: Sulu LeoNimm and Julián Pimiento

Sliding scale: $75-150

Ready to Reimagine the Rules? Join Us for a Legislative Theatre Workshop. Tired of decisions being made without your community’s voice? Legislative Theatre is a tool for turning real-life struggles into forum plays that demand change and shape policy from the ground up. Whether you’re working to abolish oppressive laws or disrupt harmful practices, this workshop empowers you to engage in radical, participatory democracy. Together, we’ll imagine new futures, strategize bold actions, and keep the dialogue going—because the fight doesn’t stop at the theatre door.

No experience necessary. 

Note: This workshop will be hosted on Zoom and will not be recorded. Participants may request a full refund in the event of a canceled or rescheduled workshop.

Rates for this workshop are on a sliding scale from $75-$150. Please select the tier that feels appropriate for you based on your financial means, the value you wish to receive, or your desire to support TONYC.

Intro to Building Forum Theatre (Level 1)

April registration is closed, look out for August Level 1 soon!

Full Description: Our 2025 Level 1 training will introduce participants to TONYC’s process of creating forum theatre performances. We will explore TONYC’s Wildcard Workbook via separate online and in-person sections and demonstrate the activities! This training is for community organizers, artists, and engaged community members who plan to apply to Forum Theatre to engage groups in action toward social change. Please note: Level 1 as an introduction focuses on facilitators modeling TONYC’s best practices for participants.  Look out for our Level Up Series (previously Level 2) for deeper practice doing your own facilitation.

Part 1 - Online

Dates/time: April 7, 14, 21 (Monday evenings from 5:30p-8:30p)

Location: Zoom

Facilitators: Liz Morgan, Marcela Artunduaga & Ania Upstill

Part 1 of this training is a three-day workshop on how we use games, dramaturgy, Image Theatre, and Aesthetics of the Oppressed to explore stories of oppression in rehearsal. We will examine the theory and politics of the work while staying firmly rooted in practice. Our third day will focus on story-sharing in preparation for our in-person work.

Part 2 - In-Person

Dates/time: April 26-27 (Saturday &  Sunday from 12-5:30p + an optional Saturday Social for unfacilitated questions, networking and fun!)

Location: Midtown, NYC

Facilitators: Liz Morgan & Marcela Artunduaga

During Part 2, participants will take their stories of oppression, build Forum Theatre scenes, and apply rehearsal exercises to refine them. Participants will also begin to practice jokering games and Forum Theatre.

The primary resource for this training will be The Wildcard Workbook.  Readings will be assigned in-between sessions and we will explore chapters together on our feet as well.


This training is a collaborative process with other members of the workshop, we prefer participants attend for the full training time. We will save a limited number of spots for folks who can only join us for Part 1.

For any questions about this training, please contact Liz Morgan at [email protected]. To receive updates about future trainings, sign up for our mailing list.

Rates for the full training are on a sliding scale between $300-$700. You can apply to pay based on your financial means, the value you wish to receive, or your desire to support.

Note: The standard rate for the full training is $525. This includes a suggested donation of $25 for the Wildcard Workbook download. Payment above the standard is a supportive rate that allows us to make this training accessible to those who cannot contribute the standard rate at this time. TONYC will not be evaluating your needs to determine your pay rate.  We are asking each individual to make an honest self-assessment of their own needs as well as economic/institutional privilege to select their own fee with integrity and mindfulness. Those who are only available for Part 1 of the training are expected to pay a flat fee of $300.

If accepted into the training, a non-refundable $50 deposit will be required to reserve your spot by March 7th. The balance of your workshop fee is due by March 28th. Advance payment of workshop fees supports TONYC in opening spots to people on the waiting list. If your access to funds means you need a payment plan or adjusted payment schedule, please contact Liz at [email protected]

Training fees paid to TONYC are non-refundable during the 7 days before the training, and may not be credited to a future training. Exceptions will only be considered at TONYC's discretion.

If a group or organization is planning to apply for a group of participants, please submit individual applications, and include your affiliation in the “About Me” section. You are welcome to email Liz at [email protected] with questions about applications and payment

TONYC reserves the right to adjust the programming above due to low enrollment or other extenuating circumstances. Participants may request a full refund in the event of a canceled or rescheduled workshop.