Dedicated to clever and innovative trends of art and design in activism.

Friends of Tibet recently hosted a five day long theatre workshop in Dharamsala, India. Indian theatre activists Jaya Aiyer and Ishtiaq engaged young Tibetan and Indian locals in trainings for “voice modulation, body language, sense of space and a whole gamut of theatre languages and mechanics.” The workshop aimed at politicizing a group of young persons, challenging them to consider their relationship to contemporary issues of oppression. To achieve this, educators built the workshop around the radical, popular Theatre of the Oppressed, wherein:

the distinct relationship of the oppressed and the oppressor is etched in the minds of the audience, who are then invited to participate in the theatre and bring the play to one or many conclusions. Its various forms use public spaces like the bus stops, cafes and traffic junctions, where the play maybe taking place without the audience realising it.

Participants created several plays, which were performed in front of three different audiences, and ultimately left with a new technique of political problem solving. Aiyer, who studied under Augusto Boal, poignantly told students “Free the Tibet within you, and you will free Tibet.”

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Chicago-based Democracy Burlesque is a monthly happening for liberal and progressive types in need of having their spirits lifted. Their satirical, socio-political theatre touts the slogan “only the politics are naked,” so rest assured that their site is safe for all to view. The performances celebrate a local, progressive cause each month to raise awareness. Most recently they chose the Chicago Legal Aid for Incarcerated Mothers.

They are looking for performers. If you are interested, and live in the Chicago area, please e-mail your resume and head shot (if digitized) to democracyburlesque@yahoo.com.

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Howard Zinn’s Rebel Voices recently opened in New York. It’s a theatrical adaptation of his famed Voices of a People’s History of the United States, produced by The Culture Project.

At a time when voices of dissent have been relegated to “free speech zones” and diminished in the mainstream media, REBEL VOICES brings to life inspirational and challenging stories of protest from U.S. history — and today.

REBEL VOICES is a testimony to the strength of the individual voice, as told through first-hand accounts from people who have shaped the course of U.S. history, often struggling against seemingly insurmountable odds.

DemocracyNOW! recently sat down with Zinn and discussed the play and the current political atmosphere.

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On February 3 - 10, 2008, legendary theatre activists and bread-makers Bread & Puppet will be at the Boston Center for the Arts (Cyclorama, 539 Tremont, St., South End, Boston) for performances, exhibitions, cheap art, and more.

Tickets are available for $5-12, and you can save $2 if you can find a flier and keep it until February!

Also, there is a call out for volunteers willing to participate in the show.  Please contact Mary Curtin at 617.470.5867 if you are interested.

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The Social Justice Committee of Montreal is looking for an artistic director for the play “The Dictatorship of Debt.” The application deadline was today - sorry for the late posting, this one fell by the wayside! Disclosure: I spent a month writing for their publication, the Upstream Journal. It was an incredible experience, and I would recommend working with the SJC in any capacity you can! Also, they are sporting a nice, new (to me) Creative Commons licensed website, worth checking out.

Description and Duties
The Social Justice Committee’s Theatre Project evolved out of its debt presentation, “Who Owes Whom”, an interactive workshop that details the global history of economic development and underdevelopment. In its interactive theatrical form, over many years and at many different venues, “The Dictatorship of Debt” has been presented in both English and French, as both a two-act dinner theatre piece and as a one-act performance.

This incarnation of the project entails the staging of a production of “The Dictatorship of Debt” for presentation at a variety of venues over the span of several months in early 2008.

The role of the Artistic Director in this project is to:

• Develop a design concept for the show
• In conjunction with the Theatre Coordinator, conduct auditions and cast the show
• In conjunction with the Theatre Coordinator and Stage Manager, develop a rehearsal and production schedule
• Prepare and conduct rehearsals
• Other duties traditionally associated with the craft of directing
• The director is expected, where possible, to contribute to areas of design, administration, and the overall development of the SJC Theatre Project.

Qualifications

• A background in the theatrical arts; experience in directing is preferred but not required
• Interest or experience in economic development, international issues, social justice, theatre for social change. Specialized education in one of the above fields is an asset
• Ability to work effectively with little direct supervision
• Strong interpersonal skills
• High level of creativity

The position will last from November 2007 to April 2008. Hours will vary and will include auditions, casting, rehearsals, production meetings, and preparation time

Remuneration
Stipend of $1000

Interested applicants should submit an application package consisting of a cover letter, a personal CV and a performance resume or other listing of relevant theatre education and/or experience. This package can be submitted electronically to Nikki Shaffeeullah, Theatre Coordinator and Producer, Social Justice Committee of Montreal.

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