From Audience to Action: Forum Theatre for Adult Inclusion

Empowering Adult Learners Through Participatory Theatre, Critical Reflection and Social Action

Course Overview

Every community faces situations in which people experience exclusion, discrimination, unequal opportunities or difficulties making their voices heard. For adults with fewer opportunities, these challenges can affect confidence, social participation and access to education.

Adult education can help people explore these situations, understand different perspectives and develop practical responses. However, traditional teaching methods do not always provide enough space for learners to express their ideas, challenge established patterns or actively participate in problem-solving.

From Audience to Action: Forum Theatre for Adult Inclusion is a practical Erasmus+ training course designed to equip adult educators, trainers and community facilitators with participatory theatre techniques that encourage empowerment, dialogue and social inclusion.

The course introduces Forum Theatre, a participatory method developed by Brazilian theatre practitioner Augusto Boal within the Theatre of the Oppressed.

Unlike conventional theatre, Forum Theatre invites audience members to become active participants, known as “spect-actors”. They can interrupt a scene, replace characters and test alternative actions in response to a situation involving oppression, exclusion or unequal power relationships.

Through experiential workshops, improvisation, storytelling, role-playing and collaborative scene creation, participants will discover how theatre can become an accessible educational method for exploring real-life social challenges.

The programme focuses on developing practical facilitation skills, creating meaningful theatrical scenarios and encouraging adults to explore different choices and their possible consequences.

Special attention is given to adults with fewer opportunities, including people experiencing social isolation, economic disadvantage, discrimination, language barriers or limited educational access.

Participants will learn how to create inclusive and respectful learning environments where adults can contribute through acting, discussion, observation, reflection or other accessible forms of participation.

By the end of the course, participants will have developed and facilitated a short Forum Theatre session and designed an action plan for applying the method in their organisations or communities.

Target Audience

This course is particularly suitable for:

Adult educators, trainers and lifelong learning facilitators.
Staff of NGOs, community centres and adult education organisations.
Social educators supporting adults with fewer opportunities.
Professionals working with migrants, refugees, unemployed adults or socially isolated groups.
Community facilitators promoting inclusion and active citizenship.
Educators interested in creative and participatory teaching methods.
Professionals involved in intercultural learning and social inclusion projects.
Erasmus+ project coordinators seeking practical non-formal educational approaches.

No previous theatre or acting experience is required.

Learning Objectives

The course aims to:

Develop participants’ understanding of Forum Theatre and its role in non-formal adult education.
Explore the principles of the Theatre of the Oppressed and the educational potential of participatory performance.
Strengthen creativity, communication and cooperation through theatre games and improvisation.
Identify social challenges affecting disadvantaged adults and transform them into meaningful theatrical scenarios.
Develop practical competences in creating characters, conflicts and situations suitable for Forum Theatre.
Introduce facilitation techniques that encourage audience participation and critical reflection.
Practise the role of the Joker in guiding constructive dialogue and facilitating spect-actor interventions.
Develop strategies for adapting Forum Theatre to adults with different abilities, educational backgrounds and levels of confidence.
Support participants in designing educational activities that encourage empowerment, problem-solving and social participation.
Create practical Forum Theatre workshops that can be implemented in adult education organisations and community programmes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

Explain the main principles and educational applications of Forum Theatre.
Distinguish Forum Theatre from conventional theatre, simulations and ordinary role-playing.
Facilitate introductory theatre activities that encourage trust, creativity and group cooperation.
Identify social exclusion challenges suitable for exploration through participatory theatre.
Develop fictionalised scenarios representing realistic situations of disadvantage or unequal power.
Create characters and short scenes that encourage audience reflection and intervention.
Apply improvisation techniques to explore possible responses to challenging situations.
Facilitate spect-actor interventions and guide dialogue without imposing predetermined solutions.
Perform the role of the Joker in a short Forum Theatre session.
Adapt theatrical activities to different communication preferences and accessibility needs.
Evaluate participation, reflection and the educational value of Forum Theatre activities.
Design an inclusive Forum Theatre workshop and an implementation plan for their home organisation.

Methodology

The course follows an experiential, participatory and learner-centred methodology.

Participants will learn by experiencing Forum Theatre techniques, working collaboratively and practising facilitation in a supportive environment.

Training methods include:

Experiential and non-formal education.
Theatre of the Oppressed techniques.
Forum Theatre and spect-actor participation.
Cooperative theatre games and icebreakers.
Image Theatre and non-verbal expression.
Storytelling and creative scene development.
Improvisation and role-playing.
Problem-based and scenario-based learning.
Participatory dialogue and guided reflection.
Peer learning and constructive feedback.
Micro-facilitation and collaborative workshop design.
Individual action planning.

The emphasis is on participation, reflection and learning rather than theatrical performance skills.

Participants will be encouraged to experiment with different roles, explore multiple perspectives and reflect on the consequences of proposed actions.

Activities will be adapted to different abilities, communication preferences and levels of theatrical confidence.

Personal disclosure will remain voluntary. Fictional or fictionalised scenarios will be used to protect participants’ privacy and avoid unnecessary exposure to sensitive experiences.

Daily Programme

Day 1: Introduction to Inclusion and the Principles of Forum Theatre

Focus: Understanding social inclusion and exploring Forum Theatre as an educational method.

Welcome activities, introductions and identification of learning expectations.
Establishing a supportive environment based on respect, trust and voluntary participation.
Exploring social inclusion and the barriers affecting disadvantaged adult learners.
Introduction to Augusto Boal and the Theatre of the Oppressed.
Understanding the principles and structure of Forum Theatre.
Exploring the roles of protagonist, antagonist, spectators, spect-actors and Joker.
Experiential theatre games that encourage communication, cooperation and confidence.
Introduction to Image Theatre as a method for representing social situations without relying exclusively on verbal communication.
Group workshop: identifying examples of exclusion and unequal opportunities in adult learning contexts.
Reflection on the potential of participatory theatre to encourage dialogue and empowerment.
Daily evaluation.

Practical outcome: A social inclusion challenges map and a collection of introductory theatre exercises suitable for adult learners.

Day 2: Exploring Adult Learners’ Challenges Through Storytelling and Role-Playing

Focus: Transforming social challenges into accessible theatrical narratives.

Exploring storytelling as a method for understanding different experiences and perspectives.
Identifying common situations of exclusion affecting disadvantaged adults.
Analysing barriers related to unemployment, discrimination, isolation, disability and limited educational access.
Introduction to theatrical improvisation and character development.
Experiential activity: “A Story, Many Perspectives”, exploring how different characters experience the same situation.
Understanding the role of conflict, choices and power relationships in Forum Theatre.
Workshop: developing fictional characters and a realistic situation of social exclusion.
Practising short role-playing activities to explore decisions and consequences.
Adapting storytelling and improvisation exercises for adults with limited literacy or previous theatrical experience.
Collaborative development of a short Forum Theatre scenario.
Peer feedback and reflection.

Practical outcome: A fictionalised Forum Theatre scenario with characters, a central conflict and an unresolved social challenge.

Day 3: Creating Participatory Scenes and Preparing Audience Intervention

Focus: Developing Forum Theatre scenes that encourage reflection and active participation.

Reviewing the structure of Forum Theatre and the role of dramatic conflict.
Understanding the importance of an identifiable protagonist facing a situation of oppression or exclusion.
Exploring how theatrical situations can present complex problems without offering immediate solutions.
Workshop: transforming the scenarios developed on Day 2 into short participatory scenes.
Practising improvisation and character interaction.
Exploring how gestures, dialogue and spatial relationships communicate power and exclusion.
Group activity: “Freeze the Moment”, identifying key decisions and possible turning points.
Developing accessible ways of introducing a theatrical situation to an audience.
Rehearsing scenes while maintaining flexibility for interventions.
Exploring how to create meaningful opportunities for audience participation.
Peer observation and constructive feedback.

Practical outcome: A short Forum Theatre scene ready for testing with audience interventions.

Day 4: Spect-Actor Intervention and Facilitating Critical Dialogue

Focus: Practising interactive Forum Theatre and developing facilitation skills.

Understanding the responsibilities of the Joker as a facilitator.
Exploring strategies for inviting audience members to participate actively.
Practising clear instructions and supportive facilitation.
Introduction to spect-actor interventions and their role in exploring alternative actions.
Interactive exercise: “Stop the Scene, Change the Action”, testing different decisions within a theatrical situation.
Role-play: facilitating a Forum Theatre session with participants holding different opinions.
Developing open-ended questions that encourage reflection and critical thinking.
Exploring how to support constructive disagreement without imposing a preferred solution.
Understanding how to manage emotionally sensitive situations and maintain appropriate boundaries.
Practising accessible alternatives for participants who prefer not to act on stage.
Reflecting on the differences between changing a fictional situation and addressing real community challenges.
Group feedback and evaluation.

Practical outcome: A practical Joker facilitation guide and a set of techniques for managing spect-actor interventions and reflective dialogue.

Day 5: Forum Theatre Performance, Evaluation and Community Action Planning

Focus: Applying Forum Theatre techniques and planning their transfer into adult education.

Reviewing the main techniques and educational principles explored during the training.
Preparing short Forum Theatre sessions based on the scenarios developed during the course.
Organising roles, facilitation responsibilities and audience participation arrangements.
Group presentations of Forum Theatre scenes.
Facilitating spect-actor interventions and testing alternative responses to the situations presented.
Guided reflection on choices, consequences, power relationships and possible actions.
Peer feedback on the clarity, accessibility and educational value of the sessions.
Exploring how Forum Theatre can support awareness, dialogue and community engagement.
Workshop: developing a practical Forum Theatre activity for a selected adult learner group.
Identifying potential community partners and suitable educational settings.
Designing simple indicators for evaluating participation and learning.
Preparing individual implementation and dissemination plans.
Final reflection and course evaluation.

Practical outcome: A facilitated Forum Theatre session, an inclusive workshop plan and an action plan for implementation in the participant’s organisation or community.

Practical Results and Transfer to Organisations

Throughout the course, participants will develop a practical portfolio of educational resources that can be adapted to their professional contexts.

The portfolio may include:

A social inclusion challenges map.
A collection of cooperative theatre games.
A fictionalised Forum Theatre scenario.
A short participatory theatre scene.
A Joker facilitation guide.
A set of open-ended questions for encouraging audience reflection.
An accessibility and participation checklist.
An inclusive Forum Theatre workshop plan.
An individual community implementation and dissemination strategy.

Participants will be encouraged to organise at least one Forum Theatre activity within their home organisation.

The activity may address a relevant local challenge such as discrimination, social isolation, limited access to education, unequal opportunities or barriers to community participation.

The method can be adapted for use in NGOs, community centres, adult learning organisations and social inclusion programmes.

European Dimension and Erasmus+ Priorities

Inclusion and Diversity

The course directly supports the Erasmus+ priority of inclusion and diversity by introducing educational methods that encourage participation among adults facing social, economic, educational or cultural barriers.

Forum Theatre provides opportunities for learners to explore experiences of exclusion, identify challenges and consider alternative responses.

The course encourages educators to create accessible activities that respect individual differences and provide meaningful options for participation.

Participation in Democratic Life

Forum Theatre encourages adults to express their opinions, evaluate different choices and participate in discussions about issues affecting their lives.

By transforming spectators into active participants, the method provides opportunities to practise dialogue, decision-making and critical reflection.

These competences can support active citizenship and constructive community engagement.

Digital Transformation

Digital tools may support the preparation, documentation and dissemination of Forum Theatre activities.

Participants can explore accessible ways to use digital storytelling, collaborative planning and educational resources while preserving non-digital participation alternatives.

Environment and Sustainability

Where relevant to the needs of a local community, Forum Theatre scenarios can explore environmental challenges, unequal access to resources and decisions related to sustainability.

Activities can be organised with limited equipment and reusable materials.

European Cooperation

The international learning environment enables participants to exchange experiences, compare social inclusion challenges and explore how Forum Theatre can be adapted to different European adult education contexts.

The course encourages the sharing of educational practices and resources between participating organisations.

Evaluation and Follow-Up

Evaluation is integrated throughout the course and focuses on practical competence development and educational transfer.

Methods include:

Initial self-assessment of learning needs and previous experience.
Daily reflection and participant feedback.
Observation of participation in theatre exercises.
Peer evaluation of scenario development and facilitation.
Assessment of Joker facilitation skills during practical sessions.
Evaluation of the final Forum Theatre workshop.
Individual implementation and dissemination planning.

Participants will be encouraged to evaluate the educational outcomes of their activities through indicators such as:

Number of adult learners participating in Forum Theatre workshops.
Number of participatory scenes created and facilitated.
Diversity of participation options provided.
Number and variety of spect-actor interventions.
Learners’ self-reported confidence in expressing opinions.
Participant feedback on the relevance and accessibility of activities.
Number of workshops implemented within home organisations.

Evaluation will focus on learning, reflection, facilitation and participation rather than theatrical performance or assumptions about changes in participants’ personal lives.

Why Choose This Course?

Forum Theatre turns learning into an interactive experience in which participants can explore real social challenges through fictional situations.

Rather than receiving ready-made answers, adult learners are encouraged to consider different responses, test ideas and reflect on possible consequences.

This course equips educators with practical techniques for developing participatory theatre scenes, facilitating audience intervention and creating inclusive opportunities for dialogue.

Participants will learn how to apply the method without professional theatrical experience or expensive equipment.

The emphasis is on educational participation, critical reflection and practical transfer to community learning environments.

By combining creativity, non-formal education and active participation, the course helps educators develop learning experiences that encourage adults to explore choices and contribute to discussions about social inclusion.

Move from watching to participating. Use Forum Theatre to empower adult learners, explore social challenges and encourage meaningful action.