Forum theatre

As part of TO, the issues dealt with in forum theatre are often related to areas of social justice, with the aim of exploring solutions to oppression featured in the performance.

Forum Theater, one of the major techniques within Theatre of the Oppressed, allows spectators to collaborate in the experience by becoming ‘spect-actors’ (the audiences who participate in the actual performance).

Through a moderator (Joker) and a group of actively engaged spectators, Forum Theatre embodies dialogues, exchanges, learning, teaching, and pleasure.

At the conclusion, the play will begin again with the audience being able to replace or add to the characters on stage to present their interventions; alternate solutions to the problems faced.

In Africa, forum theatre is used to unite Africans and heal emotional wounds caused by colonialism, civil wars, and modern slavery.

However, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, organizing forum theatres, that were helping child soldiers reintegrate into their society, is currently impossible due to security issues and lack of resources.