Early LifeAugusto Boal was born in Rio dé Janeiro, as the son of José Augusto Boal and Albertina Pinto. Although he is a theatre director, but neither his family nor his interest of study in the college had influenced or relationship with drama and theatre. In the college, he got a degree in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of Rio dé Janeiro.
Therefore, his interest in theatre came at his early ages along with his three brothers. However, he have not been active in theatre since then, until when he completed his master degrees. |
Studying Arts and theatreAfter he completed his master degrees in Rio dé Janeiro, he went to New York and studied at the School of Dramatic Arts at Colombia University. During his study, professor John Gassner taught him drama and theatre, as he'd developed professional skills in theatre directing and writing.
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Invitation of WorkIn 1956, after he graduated from the School of Dramatic Arts, he was invited to join the Arena Theatre in São Paulo, Brazil as an theatre director. Therefore, he'd also worked along side with other theatre directors, such as Jose Renato, who is the founder of the Arena Theatre.
During his work at Arena Theatre, he'd also experimented and developed new forms of theatre that was never seen in Brazil, although it is familiar when he was in New York theatres. These new forms of theatre had influenced many others, and moreover it has reformed the way of theatre. He invited audiences to participate and suggest ideas for changes and improvement. These audiences are so called spect-actors, as they are both spectators and actors. |
- I believe in democracy, but in real democracy, not a phony democracy in which just powerful people can speak. For me, in a democracy everyone speaks.
- As quoted in "To Dynamize the Audience: Interview with Augusto Boal" by Robert Enight, Canadian Theatre Review 47 (Summer 1986), pp. 41-49
Being Exiled and Back to BrazilAlthough his new way of theatre was popular among the localists, he was being known as a cultural activist. However, because of this, his activities was being recognised as a threat, and was being kid-napped, arrested, tortured and finally exiled to Argentina. In 1973, he published his first text, The Theatre of the Oppressed.
Later on, he self-exiled to Europe, and eventually went to Paris, France. In their, he continued his new way of theatre for 12 more years, as well as established few locations for the Theatre of the Oppressed. He'd also organised the first International festival of the Theatre of the oppressed in Paris. In 1986, he decided to return to Rio dé Janeiro, Brazil. He'd established to major centre of the Theatre of the Oppressed, as well as many other companies that organises and supports community theatre shows. |
Invitation to TheatresLater on in 1992, he was invited to the ATHE (The National Congress of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education) as the keynote speaker. In there, along with teachers of theatre in higher education all over the world, he've taught and influenced others on his new techniques of theatre.
In addition, his second publication was also made on the same year, Games for Actors and non-Actors. As the content introduced and taught about the Theatre of the Oppressed's theories and practices. |
Final DaysOver the years, he'd continued to expand his influence on the Theatre of the Oppressed across the globe, as well as an Politician. Boal and his team had went to many different places around the world, and held workshops of the Theatre of the Oppressed to influence others.
His objective is to teach, influence and leave people that are critical and able to offer boal-style workshops to continue its influence of the Theatre of the Oppressed. Finally, on the 2nd May, 2009, he died at his home, while he is sleeping.
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