Host a Workshop or Residency
We offer workshops with games, exercises, and facilitation ranging in length from 2 hour demos to 3 month residencies. Our facilitators are based in New York City, and are available to travel and to conduct online workshops. These workshops can introduce your group to Theatre of the Oppressed for training teachers, artists and organizers or be focused to hold space for difficult conversations around power, privilege and more. This work is most appropriate for ages 15 and up.
Complete a Zoom Workshop Request or In-Person Workshop Request to receive information and rate. Rates are on a sliding scale based on the size of your organization, resources available to your community, and any additional costs such as travel outside of NYC. Customized workshop incur additional costs and are subject to staff capacity.
Please note: TONYC does not have a space to host workshops. Upon request, we can suggest some NYC studio spaces that you can approach for a rental.
****These workshops are for groups that want training. If you are an individual without a group but you are still interested in learning more from TONYC you can:
- check our Public Workshops page
- Download Our Workbook
- Email [email protected] about a consultation
- Gather other likeminded individuals to collectively host TONYC
- Fund a training in NYC for our community of actors and train with them
TONYC’s standard workshop offerings include:
Intro to Theatre of the Oppressed Demo
1.5-2 hours. Standard Fee: $515-$900
Engage in the core exercises from the arsenal of Theatre of the Oppressed and participate in a forum theatre demonstration. These theatre games encourage “de-mechanization” of the body and the mind: when we are stuck in patterns of action and thought that we have been taught by society, or into which we are forced without choice, we cannot freely be ourselves, secure our human rights, follow our own dreams, and be true leaders in our communities. Connect the tool of Theatre of the Oppressed to human rights and oppression as it affects your community through dialogue and brainstorming.
Extended Intro with Scene Development
4-7 hours. Standard Fee: $1,800-$3,600
An extended introduction to Theatre of the Oppressed exercises and facilitation that includes the creation of short scenes around community issues. These scenes are used to demonstrate the model of Forum Theatre, in which the scenes ask a question of the audience, and the audience becomes involved as “spect-actors,” taking on the role of the protagonist to offer interventions and alternatives to the problems. This model engages the community of actors and “spect-actors” to address problems collectively and creatively.
Extended Intro with Teachback
3-4 hours. Standard Fee: $1,200-$2,400
During this training, participants are introduced to the core techniques of Theatre of the Oppressed and learn to facilitate exercises in an accessible and engaging style. Participants will learn and “teach-back” games and exercises, receiving constructive feedback on their facilitation from leader and peers.
The theatre activities encourage “de-mechanization” of the body and the mind: when we are stuck in patterns of action and thought that we have been taught by society, or into which we are forced without choice, we cannot freely be ourselves, secure our human rights, follow our own dreams, and be true leaders in our communities. Connect the tool of Theatre of the Oppressed to the specific issues that affect power and privilege as it affects your community, through dialogue and theatrical brainstorming.
Forum Scenes Creation & Public Performance
6-10 hours, plus 2 hours for performance. Standard Fee: $4,500-$10,000
During this training, participants are introduced to the techniques, create Forum scenes for a public performance to engage “spect-actors” on a shared issue.
After introduction to the technique, participants will follow the process of developing Forum Theatre scenes. We share stories of oppression faced by individuals in the group, then choose, cast, improvise and script these stories. Rehearsal techniques/games from the Theatre of the Oppressed arsenal are used to develop the scenes. We collect found, recycled materials to create costumes and set; all artistic choices will be made by the actors in each scene. Finally, we perform the forums, in which the scenes ask a question of the audience, and the audience becomes involved as “spect-actors,” taking on the role of the protagonist to offer interventions and alternatives to the problems. The TONYC facilitators serve in the role of the unbiased “joker,” mediating the discussion and interactions between the actors and the “spect-actors.” Thus, the entire community learns to address problems collectively and creatively.
Forum Scenes Creation & Joker Training
20 hours/2.5 days. Standard Fee: $15,000+
During this training, participants are introduced to the techniques, learn to facilitate exercises with a group, create Forum scenes, and practice the role of the Joker to mediate discussion between actors and “spect-actors”.
After introduction to the technique, participants will follow the process of developing Forum Theatre scenes in preparation for facilitating Theatre of the Oppressed workshops and rehearsals in their own communities. They will learn and “teach-back” games and exercises, receiving constructive feedback on their facilitation from leader and peers. We share stories of oppression faced by individuals in the group, then choose, cast, improvise and script these stories. Rehearsal techniques/games from the Theatre of the Oppressed arsenal are used to develop the scenes. We collect found, recycled materials to create costumes and set; all artistic choices will be made by the actors in each scene. Finally, we perform the forums, in which the scenes ask a question of the audience, and the audience becomes involved as “spect-actors,” taking on the role of the protagonist to offer interventions and alternatives to the problems. Participants learn to take on the role of the unbiased “joker,” mediating the discussion and interactions between the actors and the “spect-actors.” Thus, the entire community learns to address problems collectively and creatively.
Legislative Theatre Demonstration
2.5- 4 hours online. Standard Fee: $1,200-$3,600
Refresh your memory on 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.
Where we’ve facilitated
TONYC Workshop clients range from traditional learning institutions (high schools and universities), to organizations looking to re-examine privilege beyond a typical DEI training, to artist collectives looking for new tools. We are always excited to partner with community organizers and are looking for local partners to collaborate on Creative Advocacy work.
What people say about our work!
“[I learned] the practice of addressing oppression at work and interpersonally - oppressing and silencing tactics to look out for, ways to advocate for the oppressed without doing more harm.”
– 2021 workshop participant from Pipeline Theatre Company
“I really connected to demechanization and thinking through how I can challenge authority and preconceived notions in my own life.”
“[The Jokers] were AMAZING. They made it feel very comfy and open from the start. They made it fun and playful while keeping us on task and grounded in the importance of the work. They were able to get a lot out of the time; they shifted plans to meet the needs of the group. I would love to work with them again someday.”
- 2021 workshop participants from Franklin & Marshall College
"All of the games were very fascinating…a little scary but also fascinating. I was amazed by the outcomes of the forum exercise - very unexpected - and so much complexity.”
- 2022 workshop participant from Arizona State University
“Sulu was regularly checking in with us, mirroring our responses, and validating our experiences. They are awesome!”
- 2021 private workshop participant