Forum Theatre- Life close to the stage
Did you know that there exists an interactive form of theatre performance, in which the spectator is able to change the course of the action? Forum Theatre allows such situations to occur! Not only does this allow the audience to reflect upon the plot of the play, but it also enables the spectators to become one of the characters and have an influence on further action.
On the 6th and 7th of October 2020, we had a chance to perform the play titled “Codependence upbringing” in the form of Forum Theatre. This story tackled a significant issue of rules and challenges present in the everyday life of an individual from the foster care system. This was a topic of utmost importance for the youth who is a part of the replacement care system.
The Atalaya Foundation team made an appearance in this play: Anna Ejme, Paulina Jędrzejewska, Katarzyna Lewiecka-Kusio, Marzena Stopa, Paulina Woźniak.
During the process of creating the play, adolescents and counselors from the foster care system were engaged. We conducted interviews in order to become inspired and share the truth. The actors have written and directed the play from scratch, however professional consultations with a director were a part of the process. The play was prepared and performed at the Ochota Theatre in Warsaw.
Everyone who was a part of this play was also a member of an international workshop “Introduction to Forum Theater”, which was lead by Erika Eva – finish director, choreographer, and teacher, as part of the project “Metaphors of Us – Empowering adults in foster care system”.
What is Forum Theatre?
The Forum Theatre allows the audience to see the play and then have an impact on the course of the action by entering the stage and playing one of the characters in their own way. Thanks to that during the performance the audience is not only reflecting upon the topic but also acting and searching for various alternative solutions. Not only does this allow the audience to ponder about the issue, but also it enables them to improvise and bring their ideas to life. During the entire play, the audience is guided by a joker who asks questions, moderates the process, and takes care of an effective course of events.
Aim of the project
The aim of the project is the development of social skills (building interpersonal relationships), sharing knowledge, and raising awareness of the key elements of life, which are also a challenge both for teenagers and counselors working at the replacement care units. Furthermore, we would like to increase the involvement of the target audience in the search for new solutions to daily issues, as well as areas in need of development or change. By creating this project, we would like to encourage the foster care workers to change their perception of interpersonal relationships, to act, and to implement new procedures, which will consider the needs and emotions of an individual person.
The project is co-funded by the city of Warsaw.
Ochota Theatre is a partner of the project.
The performance was shown as part of displaying the results of the project called Metaphors of Us – Empowering adults in the foster care system, co-funded by the European Union.
