Maybe the theatre itself is not revolutionary. But these theatrical forms are without a doubt a rehearsal of revolution. The truth of the matter is that the spectator-actor practices in a real act even though he does it in a fictional manner. While he rehearses throwing a bomb on stage, he is concretely rehearsing the way a bomb is thrown. Acting out his attempt to organize a strike, he’s concretely organizing a strike. Within its fictional limits, the experience is a concrete one.

- Augusto Boal, Theatre of the Oppressed, 1977

Image Theatre is a set of exercises that help us embody ideas and experiences, so that we can show them to each other, and explore them. This set of prompts is designed for an individual to use for private reflection, but you can adapt them to try in a group. See page 40 of The Wildcard Workbook for more support with facilitation. 

Preparation: 

Be in a space where you can make your body into different shapes. Have a notebook nearby for doodles and reflection, or your phone for voice notes. 

Do something that allows you to focus and be present with your feelings and thoughts. This can be a series of breaths, stretches, wiggles, etc. 

Image Theatre: Rehearse for the Revolution:

We usually start image theatre exercises with an easy, practice image. Shape your body to show an image of “superhero”. Reflect on the following, either while holding the shape, or after letting it go.

• What did you make? 
• How does it feel to be this image?
• Where is this image coming from? What have you seen or imagined that informs what you made?
• What are you learning, being in this shape?

Release, and stretch or shake. Make any doodles or notes to record your reflections. 

Make an image of “revolution”. Reflect on the following, either while holding the shape, or after letting it go.

• What did you make? 
• How does it feel to be this image?
• Where is this image coming from? What have you seen or imagined that informs what you made?
• What are you learning, being in this shape? What do you like? Is anything comfortable or uncomfortable? What do you want?

Release, and stretch or shake. Make any doodles or notes to record your reflections. Note: We’ve experienced that Image Theatre with big ideas can feel challenging when people start thinking “wait, what *is* ‘revolution’?” You are invited to use the exercise to focus on what it means for you, and repeat the exercise as often as you want to dig into your own reactions. 

Now, think about something you’d like to see change. Think of an action someone could take to make that change happen, and make an image of the person doing that action. If it helps, you can allow this image to move, repeating a gesture. Reflect on the following, either while holding the shape/gesture, or after letting it go.

• What did you make? 
• How does it feel to be taking this action?
• What are you learning, being in this shape? 
• What resources, knowledge or abilities does it take to do this action?

Release, and stretch or shake. Make any doodles or notes to record your reflections.

What is an obstacle to the change you imagined in the last image? Make yourself into an image of that obstacle. Reflect on the following, either while holding the shape/gesture, or after letting it go.

• What did you make? 
• How does it feel to be this image?
• What can you learn about the obstacle, being it? What supports it? What threatens it?

Release, and stretch or shake. Make any doodles or notes to record your reflections. 

Thinking about the images you’ve made so far, what’s something this makes you want to do. Make an image of yourself doing that thing. If it helps, you can allow this image to move, repeating a gesture. Reflect on the following, either while holding the shape/gesture, or after letting it go.

• What did you make? 
• How does it feel to do this?
• What resources, knowledge or abilities does it take to do this action?
• Can you make a plan to do this?

Release, and stretch or shake. Make any doodles or notes to record your reflections. 

If you want to keep exploring, you can continue making images related to these prompts. We hope this exercise provokes ideas of action you can take, so add some to your to-do list, and think of a person in your circles who you can conspire with about making your ideas happen. 

Here is a PDF version of this exercise for printing.

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