Which theatre artist designs theatre events for the disenfranchised to encourage and support social change and is known for the Theatre of the Oppressed?

• A. Anne Bogart
• B. Augusto Boal
• C. Uta Hagen
• D. Jerzy Grotowski

Answer: (B)

Designing theatre events to empower those who are marginalized and push for social change is the hallmark here. Augusto Boal created Theatre of the Oppressed to make theatre a tool for liberation, not just entertainment. He treats the audience as active participants, calling them “spect-actors” who intervene in scenes to test new actions and solutions. In Forum Theatre, a scene showing oppression is performed, then viewers can step in to propose and try different approaches, turning spectators into creators of change. This participatory, problem-solving method is exactly what the prompt describes.

The other artists are known for different approaches: Anne Bogart for Viewpoints and ensemble-based work; Uta Hagen for acting technique and pedagogy; Jerzy Grotowski for his concept of “poor theatre” focused on ritual and actor training. None center oppressed communities and audience participation in the same transformative way Boal does.