Dare to be happy! Forum theater handbook for Estonia

A handbook offering practical guidance on implementing forum theater in Estonia, explaining its principles and providing exercises to engage communities in social dialogue.

The guide starts with a preface emphasizing the importance of citizens' active participation in societal change, aligning with Augusto Boal's philosophy. It addresses the lack of Estonian-language resources on forum theater despite its growing popularity and provides guidance on implementing the practice in various settings.

It explains the role of the "Joker," who facilitates the theatrer process, and provides detailed instructions on conducting forum theater sessions, including examples of exercises, games, and scenarios. The handbook also covers the theoretical background of the Theatre of the Oppressed, of which forum theater is a part, and presents strategies for engaging different groups, from beginners to those with prior theater experience.

Additionally, the document includes references to academic works and other resources, offering further reading and practical tools for practitioners. The ultimate goal of the handbook is to inspire readers to explore and utilize forum theater to address social issues and promote active participation and dialogue within their communities.

Source: MTÜ Foorumteatri
Author information: Nikolai Kunitsõn
Language: Estonian

Year of publication: 2017