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Who Is the Joker?
by Bárbara Santos, CTO Rio
The Joker
is a playing card that has multiple functions. Likewise is the
Joker in the Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) methodology. The Joker
should be able to act as actor/ actress, run a play of Forum Theatre,
facilitate workshops and courses in TO, write and/or coordinate
the collective production of theatrical texts, conceive the play's
aesthetic and be a master of ceremonies at the Forum Session,
stimulating the dialogue between "spect-actors" and
the audience.
Forum Theatre
Forum Theatre is one of the TO techniques where a real life problem
is dramatised. In the play both the oppressed and the oppressor
fight for their respective wishes and interests; however, the
oppressed doesn't know any better and is unable to accomplish
her/his desire. The Joker invites the "spect-actors"
(who are in expectation to act) to get up on stage, replace the
actors who play the oppressed characters and through improvisation
try to modify their original situation.
The Role of the Joker
The Joker in TO is an artist with pedagogic and political funcions
who helps people to understand themselves better, express their
ideas and emotions, analise their problems and seek their own
alternatives to change or solve them. The Joker doesn't need to
have answers but should be able to formulate questions that stimulate
the rise of alternatives to each question presented on the Forum
Theatre play.
Skills
The Joker should be an expert in diversity with multi-disciplinary
background and attitude: she/he must have knowledge of theatre,
popular culture, pedagogy, psychology, politics and everything
else that is possible. Beyond that she/he must have and develop
sensibility, facility to communicate with and coordinate groups,
pointed perception, common sense, energy, and ability to synthesize,
among others. Part of this knowledge can be learned from books;
another part of it can be developed through practical experience.
However there are characteristics that depend on the personality
of each Joker.
Styles
Currently there are many people trying this function throughout
the world. They build their own style from their local culture,
knowledge, and personality. The Jokers may have different styles
but they must never forget the humanistic, pedagogic, and democratic
essence of the Theatre of the Oppressed.
Bárbara Santos is an experienced
joker at CTO Rio. Contact: beta@domain.com.br
Under Pressure 7, August 2001
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