Theatre of the Oppressed - 5 day intensive training internship
Run by Dr Jennifer Hartley of Theatre versus Oppression (www.theatreversusoppression.com)

Who for? - Theatre practitioners, social activists, teachers, community and social workers, youth workers etc. No experience is necessary.

Cost? - £350 for the five day internship (travel, accommodation & food are the individual’s responsibility)

Registration - Places are limited so early registration is essential. For a registration form contact Theatre versus Oppression at theatreversusoppression@gmail.com
What Will Happen? This intensive course will focus on the skills of Forum Theatre and the Joker (facilitator). Participants will investigate the theory and practice of Forum Theatre, also looking briefly at aspects of Image Theatre and Invisible Theatre. The workshop will be responsive to the experiences of the participants. Issues around 'doing Forum' such as generating participation, stimulating audiences, 'difficult' interventions, working with particular constituencies, how and when to end a Forum show, will all be covered. In that way participants will learn how to devise a Forum Theatre piece and how to conduct a public Forum session. A number of games and exercises based around trust, confidence and group integration will be introduced enabling participants to lead workshop sessions within their own groups or communities and utilise the theory behind the games. Through this intensive week, participants will also be introduced to 'theatre and therapy' as presented through Augusto Boal's Rainbow of Desire. As the group develops the trust and confidence to share stories, the work will progress from simple image work to increasingly complex means of uncovering and confronting 'the cops in the head.' This is particularly useful for those working with internalised oppressions. Participants will also have the opportunity to prepare a forum play in groups and 'joker' as well as participate as spectactors.

Dr Jennifer Hartley - Jennifer has been running training in theatre of the oppressed and dramatherapy for over ten years and across every continent. Her work has led to projects and facilitation work with varied groups from torture victims to their torturers; substance abuse to Aids; educational set ups, work in prisons, hospitals, with asylum seekers, youth …and the list goes on. Examples of some current projects can be seen on the website. Jennifer has taught at secondary and tertiary levels over the years and continues to act as a guest lecturer for a number of universities in the UK and abroad. In addition Jennifer writes and directs theatre based on social issues and matters arising from the project work with which she is involved and has a number of publications to her name. Jennifer is also the founder and director of the registered charity organisation Theatre versus Oppression.