Augusto Boal

Augusto Boal was born in 1931 and died in 1999. He is known as the “father” of Community arts. He is a Brazilian director, theatre maker and Politician.

Brazil has a huge divide in the hierarchy of the class system, the rich are incredibly wealthy and the poor are living in very harsh conditions. Boal helped those who were very poor that had no access to basic essentials such as education or health support. His work was with the poor was mainly focused on those who struggled to learn, to make learning easier for the children he taught them a technique called problem solving which is still commonly used today today.  This meant that you would learn in a practical manner in the classroom. Boal believed that this was a key method of learning. Being practical is something that is helpful for everyone.

During his exile in Argentina, he wrote a book called “Theatre of the Oppressed.” His book discusses that theatre that is traditional is oppressed and exclusive rather than being able to include everyone, no matter what. He said that there is nothing for any other type of audience. Being oppressed is where a group of people in society are completely disregarded or denied a certain thing due to them being a minority. Augusto Boal thought that theatre could be a successful method of helping the less fortunate. This links to community arts as it is all about working those who might be oppressed in some form such as being blind, having mental health issues or learning difficulties. Boal believed he could help them.