Forum Theatre: Rehearsing Empathy, Rehearsing Change

Forum Theatre at New East is not just a performance format — it’s a tool for listening, questioning, and transformation. Rooted in Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed, this method invites audiences to move from passive observers to active participants. A scene is presented, depicting a conflict or injustice. Then, the stage becomes a shared space for experimenting with responses — audience members step in, propose actions, and embody alternatives.

We apply this method across diverse communities: seniors confronting loneliness and health challenges, refugees navigating new identities, educators and youth workers exploring democratic values, and young people dealing with disinformation, war, and polarization. Each session becomes a rehearsal for real life — a space to practice empathy, listen deeply, and imagine alternative ways forward.

In a time of increasing fragmentation, Forum Theatre offers something rare: a way to sit together, speak openly, and explore complexity through shared experience. At New East, we believe that storytelling is powerful — but transforming stories together is even more powerful.

Format: Participatory theatre / Non-formal education

Target groups: Youth, seniors, refugees, educators, local residents

Facilitators: Trained theatre mentors from New East’s civic and cultural programs

Applications: Conflict resolution, community dialogue, critical thinking, emotional resilience

Languages: Latvian, English, Ukrainian, Polish, Russian, Latgalian (depending on audience)

Location: Performed in schools, community centers, cultural venues, and festivals across the region