Welcome to Mixed Company Theatre

                  

Augusto Boal 1931-2009 

I met Augusto Boal in 1985 during a Canadian Popular Theatre Alliance Festival and learned about the Theatre of the Oppressed and its techniques.  Augusto opened the idea of breaking down the fourth wall, and started me on a path of interactive theatre.

At the time, I wondered how to apply these concepts to the theatre that I was involved with and found it very difficult until 1990 when I became the Artistic Director of Mixed Company Theatre.  I quite quickly started to use Forum Theatre to create theatre with the community, collaborating with youth, the homeless and various other sectors of society.  I began to  apply the fantastic concepts that Augusto talked about and showed us during the workshops sessions.  I found that it was natural to me to become a Joker and I have loved the role ever since.

Watching Augusto enjoy his relationship with his audience, or as he called them “the spect-actors”, was a joy to behold.   In 1991, after viewing four Mixed Company Forum Theatre presentations, Augusto honoured Mixed Company by inviting us to become a Centre of the Theatre of the Oppressed, which we have been for the last 18 years. 

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge Augusto Boal for taking theatre back to its roots where everyone is creative and are experts within their own lives.  The idea of working with a group of people and trying to come up with options, alternatives and possible solutions to problems that were presented, set me on the course of using theatre as a tool for social change and I thank Augusto. 

On behalf of everyone at Mixed Company Theatre, I'd like to extend our condolences to the Boal family, and the many people whose lives have been touched by him.

Simon Malbogat                                                             
Artistic Director      

   

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Mixed Company Theatre

Mixed Company Theatre works with schools, corporations and community organizations across Canada and around the world. We use innovative theatre techniques to engage, educate and empower audiences to create positive solutions to real and often complex problems in their everyday lives.

Please use the links on this page to find the information you're looking for. You may also contact us at:                         info [at] mixedcompanytheatre [dot] com

We'd be happy to book your upcoming show or workshop, or answer your questions.

On behalf of Mixed Company, thanks for visiting. We hope to see you here often, and to connect with you in person in the near future.        

 

 

 

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