Our Mission

Chicago Fusion Theatre’s Arts Education and Outreach program is grounded in the philosophy of Brazilian director and teacher Augusto Boal and his Theatre of the Oppressed, with the mission to reach out to the Chicago community and offer a safe space to unite in human expression as a means to rise above our daily oppressors. While our workshops and programs are open to everyone, our focus is to develop programs with community members who may not otherwise have access to the world of art.

Our Projects

Recently the company performed a full-length staged reading of Proof by David Auburn for the Chicago Lighthouse, a social service agency for the blind and visually impaired. In addition, the company performed a 30-minute staged reading of Big Love by Charles L. Mee for Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, which focuses on bringing companionship and social interaction to isolated and lonely elders.  Other collaborations are in the works with other artists, activists and educators and will be rolled out throughout our next season.

What is Theatre of the Oppressed? (TO)

Developed by Brazilian director and teacher Augusto Boal, TO emerged during the 1960’s and 1970’s as a tool to unite oppressed peoples in a peaceful resistance against the oppressive Brazilian dictatorships. TO turns spectators into actors (spectactors) as a means to break oppressive structures and create a new dialogue: one of understanding and equality. To learn more about TO, visit: www.theatreoftheoppressed.org.

What is Pedagogy of the Oppressed? (PO)

A theory and practice developed in the 1960’s and 1970’s by Brazilian educator and activist, Paulo Friere. His educational philosophy fought against what he called the banking model, under which students are empty accounts waiting to be filled with knowledge from their teachers. Instead, Friere proposed a dialogue between student and teacher, in which the teacher’s knowledge and the students’ knowledge are respected and valued. To learn more about PO, visit: www.ptoweb.org.

For More Information

Please contact our Director of Arts Education @ CourtneyRS.CFT@gmail.com for more information on our education program, information on how we can work with your organization, or on how we can support your efforts to better your community.