Ch 5: Theatre as Activism

1. Ubu Roi: Summary, Themes & Significance

This lesson describes the plot of the French play, ''Ubu Roi'' (''Ubu, the King'') by playwright Alfred Jarry. It also discusses its major themes and its significance historically and within Postmodernism, particularly in how it opens the door for many of the major Postmodern movements.

2. Dadaism in Theatre: Origins & Characteristics

Critics may often deride plays as absurd, but is that always an insult? In this lesson, we'll explore the influence of Dada on theatre and see how this influenced 20th-century ideas about performance.

3. Theatre of Cruelty: Artaud

Most of us watch movies or television shows to relax or escape reality, not as a means of reform. In this video, learn how Antonin Artaud's Theatre of Cruelty tries to shock the audience into becoming better people.

4. Theater of the Absurd: Definition & Characteristics

This lesson provides a brief overview of Theater of the Absurd. We will learn about the history of the movement, key writers and works, and test your knowledge with a quiz.

5. Waiting for Godot: Analysis, Meaning & Themes

Samuel Beckett was an Irish playwright most famously known for the play 'Waiting for Godot.' Who is Godot, why are these men waiting for him, and what makes this an important work in the history of English literature? Complete this lesson to find out!

6. Epic Theatre: Brecht

Communism? 'Mack the Knife'? Verfremdung? Wonder what these have in common or what they even mean? Find out how epic theatre united these with the hope of making social changes.

7. Theatre of the Oppressed: Definition, History & Characteristics

Can theatre have a purpose? Can it be educational? Some people think so. In this lesson, we're going to explore the Theatre of the Oppressed and see how it came to be.

8. Types of Theatre of the Oppressed: Similarities & Differences

How can theatre empower people to take control of their own lives? In this lesson we explore the six forms of Theatre of the Oppressed and how each can be used by participants as a rehearsal of the social change that want to make.

9. Guerrilla Theatre: Definition & Examples

If you strip away many of the expectations about theater, what are you left with? In this lesson, we'll examine the unorthodox performance of guerilla theatre and see how its history defined its unique style.

10. Jana Natya Manch: History & Significance

Theater can be safe and fun, or it can be political, active, and risky. In this lesson, we'll get to know Jana Natya Manch and see how they've used performance to combine theater and politics for the people.