Formaat, Workplace for Participatory Drama

Founded in 1999, Formaat started as Theatre of the Oppressed group doing Forum Theatre in schools. Soon we would extend our work beyond the field of education, and beyond Forum Theatre as the only available technique. In 2004, the extension "Workplace for Participatory Drama" was added. We decided to do that to emphasize two things. First, we want to be a place where working with the oppressed comes first. A place also where new techniques are developed and passed on. Second, we wanted to draw attention to the term “participatory”. Participation involves the voice of the participants. It is not the educational value of the drama techniques that stands out. Education is often coercive and based on monologues. Participatory Drama is democratic and based on dialogue.

In 2007, we opened the physical Workplace, a nice working space with a view on the Port of Rotterdam. The Workplace is the scene of regular international activities, so you will receive our invitations if you email us at info@formaat.org.

What We Do
Since our start, we have been developing our own style of participatory drama. Innovation was necessary to make Theatre of the Oppressed techniques more accessible to Dutch society (and vice versa, for that matter). Our Forum Theatre productions started introducing elements of youth culture, like video, music, rap, dance and even game show elements. New Joker tools like the Dilemma Discussion Method (based on the work of development psychologist Kohlberg) and Blagg (originally a prison theatre technique from the UK) were introduced.

Likewise, Legislative Theatre concepts were adapted to the Dutch context and we now use three different formats for community development work. Our projects have steadily grown in quality and since 2003 we received three awards, one for social inclusion, one for crime prevention and one for resettlement of homeless people. We work extensively (but not exclusively) in the densely populated West of the Netherlands, where conflict potential is high. The four pillars of our work are: Participation, Awareness, Empowerment and Dialogue. Additionally, we put a lot of effort in capacity building and multiplication of Theatre of the Oppressed. We train jokers, give courses and masterclasses and even set up scientific research projects into the effects of our work.

Internationally we are perhaps known as co-founders of ITO (International Theatre of the Oppressed Organization) and the website www.theatreoftheoppressed.org. Since 2004, we set up training programs in other countries.

Our Present Work
Formaat’s activities are divided in four categories. An overview of projects can be found under the corresponding link.
Activities for Young people
Formaat focuses on those young people who are less privileged than girls and boys of the same age. Formaat uses theatre as a means to allow young people to develop their own view on the reality of today, to develop ideas to potentially change this reality and to rehearse for this change.
Activities for Adults
Formaat’s primary focus is to work with people living in the margin of society. Important activities are the Theatre Action Studio’s in which we work with people with psychosocial problems and/or a psychiatric background.
Multiplication
One of the main objectives of Formaat is stimulating the use of Participatory Drama.
International activities
The international work of Formaat has been a constant factor for the last 10 years. We distinguish between three different programs: multiplication & support, exchange and collaboration, platform & stage.