GTO - Theatre Group of the Oppressed

Country: Mozambique
Address: Rua de Evora, nº 91, Bairro da Malhangalene - Maputo
Telephone: 21 315198 - Cell 82 - 432 5330
Fax:
Email: alvimcossa@gmail.com
www:
Contact person: Alvim Cossa

Theme: Building Local Democracy

The Theatre Group of the Oppressed – Maputo is being advised by the Centre of the Theatre of the Oppressed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which is coordinated by Augusto Boal and is part of RETEC - Rede Moçambicana de Teatro Comunitário (The Mozambican Community Theatre Network), established in 2006, with the aim to facilitate the circulation of information and the sharing of equipment and material.

 

Vision

To spread Alternative Communications Techniques in Mozambique and to make the culture more dynamic, so that it can become an effective instrument in the development of citizenship and civic education. This should be based on the presentation of and debate on ideas and should  promote a Culture of Peace as well as the collective search for solutions to problems that affect community development.

 

Main objectives:

a)       Within the limits of the groups activities, to contribute to the creation of a spirit of cultural solidarity;

b)       Through theatre productions, to produce and spread information that can contribute to making communities involved in the search for solutions to their own problems;

c)       Teach interactive theatre techniques (Theatre of the Oppressed).

 

 

Main activities:

ü      Hold workshops in Theatre of the Oppressed Techniques with community theatre groups;

ü      Do lobby and advocacy work together with possible partners to promote more outspokenness, which can contribute to the strengthening of local democratic policy initiatives;

ü      Produce documentaries and series on video with material that can promote group debates;

ü      Make radio programmes together with community radio stations.

 

The Group’s Potential:

The group is experienced in setting up Participatory Theatre shows with social themes like HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, children’s rights, violence and abuse of women, moral and civic education, and the furthering of citizenship. These themes are presented in an amusing and didactic way through efficient means of communication – The Forum Theatre.

 

Target Group/Beneficiaries:

Direct:

ü      Community theatre groups;

ü      District Civil Councils, Provincial Forums and School Councils.

 

Indirect:

ü      The community in general;

Public and private institutions.