“Newspaper Theatre Training Course”

Important: Please read this call and the information included carefully. Check adequately if you fit the profile of the participants we are looking for, before deciding to apply.

The Newspaper Theatre Method is part of a larger set of methods called Theatre of the Oppressed. This is a type of theatre methodology developed by Augusto Boal in the 1960s in Brazil. Augusto Boal experimented with theatre to give voice to the oppressed, to empower them to fight the oppression in their lives.  

Under the umbrella of Theatre of the Oppressed, we find the following methods: Image Theatre, Forum Theatre, Invisible Theatre, Legislative Theatre, Newspaper Theatre and Rainbow of Desire. In this particular training, we will only focus on the Newspaper Theatre method!

Newspaper Theatre 

As a distinct method, Newspaper Theatre is focused on the stimulation of critical thinking and consumption of media content, in order to push engagement and interest towards the issues raised through the performance, always linked with a type of oppression.

The core sources of information which are used in the preparatory process are newspapers or media materials (articles, advertisements, etc.). These can be used as inspiration or provide the main material for the artistic outcome. The topics raised by the media materials are examined from alternative perspectives through Newspaper Theatre, to bring them to the relevant audiences in a different light and angles and to trigger critical reflections. 

The main goal of the training is to build the capacity of youth workers to use the Newspaper Theatre method to challenge disinformation and promote media literacy around various human rights issues among young people.

Methodology of the training course 

The learning process will be very practical and hands-on, infused with specific games, exercises, and activities from the Theatre of the Oppressed methodology from the books published by Augusto Boal, as well as other experienced practitioners in the field over the last few decades. One of the main manuals, which is focused on Newspaper Theatre, will be used mainly in the process, is published by one of the trainers and will be provided as a hard copy to all participants. The learning process will be based on the total involvement of participants who will be active protagonists of their learning and live an educational experience centred on their own experiences.

The learning process will be guided and facilitated by an experienced team with a long history and practice in working with Theatre of the Oppressed methods: 

• Andreea-Loredana Tudorache has been working with Theatre of the Oppressed since 2005, trained numerous practitioners around the world and authored several manuals on these methods. (http://trainers.salto-youth.net/AndreeaLoredanaTudorache )
• Elena Stevkovska has been a youth worker and Theatre of the Oppressed facilitator and trainer since 2021 (https://www.salto-youth.net/tools/toy/elena-stevkovska.6009/ ) 

Do you resonate with this course and want to be part of it? Any interested applicant must check all the following requirements: 

• Active members or close collaborators of active Youth Organisations (staff or active members, paid or not) who are working regularly with young people. It is obligatory that the organisation has a valid OID number at the moment of applying!
• Enthusiastic youth workers who are motivated to work with the Newspaper Theatre method with young people on diverse oppression and human rights issues.
• Significant interest in Theatre of the Oppressed methods or theatre as a tool for social change (it doesn’t mean previous experience).
• Good command of the English language (to be able to engage actively and meaningfully in the discussions during the course).
• People older than 18 years and with a legal residence (proven by documents) in the country they are currently residing in. 
• People with residence in one of the Erasmus + Program Countries (EU Member States and third countries associated with the Programme that do not need a visa for Norway) 

Important: 

• The criteria mentioned are not optional or negotiable. We will not respond to any inquiries aiming to challenge these criteria stated previously.  
• If you are not part of an organisation as an active member, or cannot communicate actively in English, do not apply! 
• If you lie in the application process, are selected, and we discover the lie, we reserve the right to cancel your participation in the project and not reimburse any costs incurred until that moment. 
• Previous experience: We welcome participants with little or no experience in Theatre of the Oppressed, as well as people who have previous experience in other methods from this methodological umbrella. The process is designed for beginners in working with Newspaper Theatre, regardless of their previous experience with other Theatre of the Oppressed methods.