Image Theatre – Presentation
-
Image Theatre is one of the methods included in the Theatre of the Oppressed methodology that uses body postures, statues to depict oppression or aspects related to oppression. It is mostly used as a supporting exercise –technique in the development process of the other methods included in Theatre of the Oppressed (Forum Theatre, Legislative, Rainbow of Desire, etc.) but it is also used as a separate method for community interventions.
-
There is a large variety of approaches in using Image Theatre due to the image factor as core element which gives more freedom and doors to the practitioners’ creativity.
-
In A.R.T. Fusion we use Image Theatre as a step in Forum Theatre development and also as a separate method with a similar process of implementation in the community to that of Forum Theatre.
-
The advantages of using Image Theatre include shorter preparation and implementation phases than for Forum Theatre and to a certain extent it can lead to the same impact among the target group. The actors in Image Theatre stand for a long time (as statues), and it is advisable that the size of the public is not larger than 30-40 as the discussion needs to be faster (for the general wellbeing of the actors).
-
If in Forum Theatre we depict a concrete oppression and we show its process, how it grows, how the power relations are changing and how it leads to an extreme imbalance, in Image Theatre we show a “picture” from this process. This “picture” represents a statue of 5-8 people that includes the main characters exactly as they are reflected in Forum Theatre (oppressed, oppressor, 1-2 allies on each side, 1-2 neutrals). The actors are frozen in a specific body posture that depicts the feelings, thoughts and the relations between the people involved in the situation. The actors do not talk to each other, they do not move and because of these aspects (which might be considered limitative) the actions reflected with their bodies and their positions have to be very simple and clear. You can see examples of pictures from Image Theatre performances in the example section after this presentation.
-
Usually there is only one image shown to the public which will become the main source for work with the public. The picture taken out of reality to be exposed in an Image Theatre format reflects higher level of oppression, where the power imbalance is much more visible. The Image Theatre team has also the option to create 3-4 images as the equivalent of the scenes in a Forum Theatre play and to lead the change making process only with the body postures from scene to scene. In A.R.T. Fusion we prefer to work only with one image and to explore the possibilities and the reasons behind them more deeply.
-
The Joker interacts with the public and makes a small introduction – then they ask the public to close their eyes for the volunteers to prepare the image for them.
-
The public opens their eyes and if they wish so they can go closer to understand what the image is about.
-
The Joker talks with the public about the problem, the characters involved and the connection with their reality and about the idea of change to reduce the oppression. The mission of the public is to come with proposals that will change the situation to an image that will satisfy them.
-
The Joker introduces the change making process which in Image Theatre is as follows :
-
They can change anybody except the oppressor;
-
They can add extra characters that depict roles relevant for the situation at hand;
-
They come on stage and they place themselves in the position of the specific actor and show a different body posture that expresses the suggested change-after that the actor will copy the posture showed;
-
It is not allowed to show physical violence as a solution;
-
Only one person intervenes at a time.
-
The management of interventions is mainly done similarly to what was explained about the Joker role. The public is constantly invited to imagine what would happen if the image stopped being frozen, how the people around would react, to think towards the proposed change.
-
Decisions are made by the public.
After the public is satisfied with the changes and the outcomes the actors are released and the Joker talks alone with the public.
-
Summary
-
Transfer
-
Conclusion + Closure
In Image Theatre the risk that the public sees and interprets something different than what we aimed to show is much higher than in Forum Theatre.
The Joker (as well as the team) needs to be aware of that. The Joker can ask more questions to be sure that the public has seen all the elements from the picture but it is their decision in what manner the topic depicted.
Under no circumstance will the Joker give hints or try to suggest what it in fact is about. There is no “true” answer except the reality as the public sees it and as it makes sense to them. We cannot tell them – “this is what you see!” – “yeah we know you saw differently but in fact it is this”. We will lose the public exactly at that moment. The Joker needs to continue the process, to follow the steps with what the public understood.
From experience we see this technique as helping groups analyse certain problems they are facing more deeply, make connections and identify clearly what solutions are at hand and also be touched emotionally, as human images are very strong. For a beginner Joker and Theatre of the Oppressed group, Image Theatre can be a good start-up that will sharpen some of the competencies that can be taken further in this field and is less emotionally risky for actors or public.
Forum Theatre indeed offers a stronger and more personal experience, due to the verbal and dynamic interaction between the actors and also between the actors and the public but depending on your context and time Image Theatre can as well be a useful method for a great impact in your community and we recommend applying it.
In the next pages you will find examples of Image Theatre in Practice and a small curriculum for developing Image Theatre.
