Flourish From Oppression will use Forum Theatre techniques to engage both spectators and actors in a unique socially-oriented theatrical event
The line between watching theatre and participating in it is to be blurred in a new Forum Theatre event soon to take place in Malta.
An innovative stage technique created by influential Brazilian theatre practitioner Augusto Boal, Forum Theatre allows spectators to engage with a performance, and influence, change or even stop it if they wish. As one of the primary forms of Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed, Forum Theatre is often used as a means of promoting social and political change, and to explore solutions to the oppression featured within the performance.
In Flourish From Oppression, Forum Theatre will be used for the first time on the island to explore a variety of scenarios relating to the LGBTI community. Creating a safe, contained space for like-minded individuals from both the LGBTI community and the general public to integrate and build relationships, the event will explore the intersections between sexuality, gender identity and religion.
“Exploring issues creatively is always important, in any community,” says Jacob Piccinino, who will be facilitating the Flourish From Oppression Forum Theatre event. “It helps us to understand perspectives and difficulties in a healthy and dynamic manner. When talking about LGBTI issues, we may tend to rationalise too much or misunderstand the challenges that this community may face. Forum Theatre will provide a platform to offer members of this community more empowerment, in a fun way.”
Organised by DRACHMA – a LGBTI group largely inspired by the Roman Catholic faith, values and spirituality – Flourish From Oppression is one of three events in a project intended to highlight the realities of members who have felt oppressed, or became outcasts from their church or community in order to come out.
Apart from the Forum Theatre event on 16 March, the project also includes a session about the perils of conversion therapy on 1 March, facilitated by Fr Karm Debattista and Dr Nicholas Briffa, and a discussion about the Boy Erased book and film on 1 March, followed by a screening of the film on 9 March in collaboration with Allied Rainbow Communities (ARC) and Eden Cinemas.
Anyone who wishes to take part in this unique and innovative Forum Theatre event may apply by sending an email to drachmalgbt@gmail.com or by calling on 79253875.
The Flourish From Oppression Forum Theatre event will take place from 9am – 6pm on Saturday 16 March at Marsaxlokk Youth Activity Centre, St Francis Street, Marsaxlokk. Since safety is key, all applications will be subject to an informal evaluation process.
Applications may be submitted via email to drachmalgbt@gmail.com or by telephone on +356 7925 3875. This project is supported by Arts Council Malta - President's Award for Creativity.
Forum Theatre biex nesploraw r-realtà LGBTI
‘Flourish From Oppression’ huwa proġett li ħa juża l-mudell tal-Forum Theatre sabiex l-udjenza flimkien mal-atturi jkunu jistgħu joħolqu kreazzjoni teatrali biex iqajjem għarfien soċjali.
F’dan il-proġett ta’ Forum Theatre l-ispettatur ħa jkun involut b’mod dirett fil-ħolqien ta’ storja permezz ta’ esperjenza dinamika. Forum Theatre hija struttura teatrali ddisnjata mid-direttur Brażiljan, Auguso Boal. L- għan huwa li l-ispettatur jisfida n-narrativa tad-dramm billi jwaqqaf id-dramm meta jrid hu, u jbiddel il-partijiet li jixtieq. B’hekk Forum theatre, li jagħmel parti mill-istruttura msejħa Theatre of the Oppressed, tintuża biex tħeġġeġ bidliet soċjali u politiċi, u biex tfittex soluzzjonijiet għall-oppressjoni li qed tidher fix-xogħol teatral.
Fil-proġett Floursih from Oppression, Forum Theatre ħa jintuża għall-ewwel darba f’Malta fil-kommunità LGBTI biex nesploraw din ir-realtà. Il-werkxop ħa jesplora d-dinamika bejn sesswalità, l-identità tal-ġeneru u r-reliġjon f’ambjent ta’ sigurtà fejn nies li jaħsbuha bl-istess mod mill-kommunità LGBTI kif ukoll il-pubbliku ġenerali jkunu jistgħu jirreletaw.
‘Li tesplora realtajiet differenti b’mod kreattiv, hija importanti, f’kull kommunità,’ jgħid Jacob Piccinino, li ħa jkun wieħed mill-facilitators tal-werkxop. ‘Tgħinna biex nifhmu perspettivi u diffikultajiet b’mod dinamiku u b’mod benefiċjali.’ Meta nitkellmu fuq ir- realtà LGBTI, hemm tendenza li nirrazzjonaliżaw ħafna u ġieli ma nifhmux l-isfidi li din il-kommunità taffaċja. Forum Theatre jagħti spazju lill-membri ta’ din il-kommunità fejn jistgħu jieħdu gost u fl-istess ħin iħossuhom iktar ‘empowered’, iktar imsaħħin.’
Flourish from Oppression, li huwa organizzat minn Drachma – grupp LGBTI ispirat essenzjalment mill-fidi, valuri u l-ispirtwalità Kattolika, hija parti mill-avveniment magħmul minn tliet partijiet. L-għan tiegħu huwa li jixħet dawl fuq l-istejjer tal-membri ta’ din il-kommunità li ġieli kienu mwarbin jew maħqurin mill-Knisja jew mill-kommunità fil-coming out tagħhom.
Apparti l-werkxop dwar Forum Theatre li ħa jsir fis-16 ta’ Marzu, dan il-proġett jinkludi ukoll session fl-1 ta’ Marzu dwar il-perikli tal-conversion therapy, fejn ħa jitkellmu Fr Karm Debattista u Dr Nicholas Briffa, kif ukoll diskussjoni dwar il-ktieb u l-film Boy Erased. Fit-9 ta’ Marzu ħa jintwera l-film Boy Erased, fejn Drachma ssieħbet ma’ Allied Rainbow Communities (ARC) u l-Eden Cinemas.
Il-Forum Theatre Flourish From Oppression ħa jseħħ bejn id-9 ta’ filgħodu u s-6 ta’ filgħaxija is-Sibt 16 ta’ Marzu fil-Youth Activity Centre f’Marsaxlokk, Triq San Franġisk, Marsaxlokk. Minħabba l-importanza ta’ sigurtà, kull applikant ħa jissejjaħ għal proċess ta ’evalwazzjoni informali. L-applikazzjonijiet għandhom jintbagħtu perezz ta’ imejl lil drachmalgbt@gmail.com jew billi wieħed iċempel fuq 79253875. Dan il-proġett hu mgħejun mill-Kunsill Malti għall-Arti – Il-Premju tal-President.