Poetic Justice Theatre Ensemble

Now in our 8th season, Port Townsend’s Poetic Justice Theatre Ensemble is a multi-generational troupe (currently ages 16-82) of actor/activists who use interactive theatre as a tool for community dialogue and social change. The approach is based on the Theatre of the Oppressed (T.O.) work of Brazilian, Augusto Boal and Playback Theatre developed by Americans, Jonathan Fox and Jo Salas. These techniques are used all over the world for social and political activism, conflict resolution, community-building, therapy, and government legislation. A community service program of the Mandala Center, the Poetic Justice Theatre Ensemble was developed as a local community resource to stimulate deep dialogue around burning social issues and invite positive action towards the creation of a more just and joyous world for all people.
Projects in the 2008-09 season included 10 performances at 5 local senior residential facilities during February sponsored by the "Art to Elders" program.  We used an original Forum play, "Loss", as a centerpiece for dialogue around the residents' real life struggles as well as their joys.  "Loss" was developed by ensemble members based on their own life experiences as well as our previous work with elders.

The troupe also developed and performed "Don't Look, Don't See: Dramas from Below the Radar", two company created Forum Theatre plays -- "Walking the Line", on poverty and "Dousing the Flame" on the silencing of youth. This project debuted as an open-to-the-public run at Port Townsend's Key City Public Theatre, May 8-11, 2009. "Dousing the Flame" also performed for a youth only audience at the Boiler Room, Port Townsend's youth driven coffee house and community center. These plays will be further developed and be in repertory for performances in the future.

How does Poetic Justice work?
Sometimes we come with a pre-scriped Forum Theatre play on a particular issue (as described above) then invite dialogue through the interactive Forum. At other times, we come with nothing scripted or prepared except for a few theatrical devices meant to draw out and reflect the truth and wisdom of people in the room. Audience stories, struggles, successes, and dreams for the future are brought to life through physical imagery and improvisation. The audience is ultimately invited onstage to actively explore solutions to the complex questions raised. It can literally be a rehearsal for the future in which audience “spect-actors” take action towards creating the kind of world they want. Audiences are frequently left with richer awareness as well as a greater belief in their ability to effect change in their own lives.

The ensemble is prepared to work with any issue or population and offers itself as a free service to local groups in need, particularly those struggling with issues of marginalization.

Recent examples of Poetic Justice performances:

The 2007-08 season included a series of private performances for youth at Port Townsend High School and the Jefferson County Health Dept’s “Peer-In” youth support group as well as for clients and staff at Jefferson County Mental Health. In addition, Poetic Justice did a special public event "Save the Earth - Save Ourselves" as part of a world-wide T.O. project exploring obstacles to action around Global Warming.

The 2006-07 season included free open-to-the-public performances, “Flying or Dying” at the Boiler Room exploring substance abuse, “Cracks in the Rainbow” and “Stereotype Straightjackets” exploring gender and sexual orientation issues.

A major focus of the 2005-06 season was our Seniors/Elders project, "The Wisdom Keepers" -- a series of interactive performance / dialogues on what is like to grow older in today’s society. For more info on this project click here.


 
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