The citizen paradigm of the Theater of the Oppressed: Politicization or blind spot?

A critical look at how the Theater of the Oppressed shifted from radical activism to civic participation tool.

This article analyzes how the Theater of the Oppressed (TO), originally a radical emancipatory practice, evolved in France during the 1980s into a sociocultural tool embedded in participatory democracy and local policy frameworks. As TO practitioners sought institutional support, the practice aligned itself with public policies such as urban development and social work, shifting from its revolutionary roots toward citizenship education and empowerment. The figure of the “oppressed” was gradually replaced by the “citizen” or “resident,” and the political critique of power structures became more muted. The article questions whether this shift represents a new paradigm for democratic engagement or a blind spot that depoliticizes TO. While TO remains participatory and empowering in form, it risks becoming a functional tool of consensus-building rather than a space of contestation. The study calls for a critical reappraisal of TO’s role within institutionalized participation.

Source: Spirale – Revue de recherches en éducation
Author information: Sophie Coudray
Language: French

Year of publication: 2020