Theatre of the Oppressed Workshop: D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective
D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective
Booking Details
Event details
GIVE YOUR STUDENTS THE TOOLS TO UNDERSTAND—AND RESPOND TO—INJUSTICE.
With Augusto Boal’s world-renowned methodology, this workshop uses theatre as a tool for exploring real instances of oppression, exploring conflict, power, and exclusion. Students don’t just discuss these scenarios—they act them out, analyse them, and rehearse alternative responses.
Through games and ensemble exercises, students develop the physical and emotional tools to recognise injustice, understand its dynamics, and find the confidence to respond—in the classroom and beyond.
Students will leave with: an understanding of Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed methodology, experience responding to real-world social scenarios through performance, and a stronger sense of personal agency.
Particularly suited to: Drama, HPE, Humanities/HASS, Wellbeing Programs or whole-year-group programs addressing respectful relationships, inclusion, mental health, or social justice.
For inquiries, bespoke workshop options, and to book directly, please email [email protected]
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‘The Education Program developed by D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective is of high calibre and serves the needs of the education sector. The workshop facilitators have a deep understanding of the material being taught and how to teach that material to students with differing learning modalities.’ — Teacher, Noosa Pengari Steiner School
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About D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective: D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective is a Sunshine Coast–based contemporary theatre company committed to diversity, inclusion, and community engagement. We create work that empowers individuals, sparks reflection, and encourages positive social change. Nominated for a Matilda Award (2025), and Winners of the Horizon Festival Anywhere Award (2021) and Best of Anywhere Festival Award (2023), we bring the same artistic excellence, care, and cultural consciousness to our youth programs as we do to our professional productions.
Learn more: divetheatre.com
For inquiries, bespoke workshop options, and to book directly, please email [email protected]
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MORE INFORMATION
Duration: 70–90 minutes
Cost: $350* (up to 20 students) / $15 per additional student (max. 30 students)
*A travel fee applies for schools outside Nambour, QLD, calculated at $0.90/km from our base. For regional QLD, interstate, or international bookings, please get in touch directly.
Before booking, please carefully review our Terms and Conditions HERE.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR TEACHERS
Teachers are warmly invited to participate in or observe any D.I.V.E. workshop. Each session concludes with a debrief covering the methodology used, key observations, and how the work can be extended in the classroom. Additional resources are available upon request.
IN-SCHOOL: For schools seeking deeper engagement, we offer dedicated in-school professional development workshops in Theatre of the Oppressed, Physical Theatre, and devising practice—led by professional practitioners and fellow teachers. Sessions can be delivered to your school or a cluster of schools, as a standalone event or as part of a longer program. You will leave with a solid understanding of our methodologies, new classroom-ready exercises, and supporting resources.
PUBLIC WORKSHOPS: D.I.V.E. also offers public professional development workshops throughout the year, open to teachers, emerging artists, and practitioners across Queensland and interstate. Public dates are announced via our newsletters and social media — subscribe to our newsletter The D.I.V.E. Arena HERE and our education-specific newsletter HERE, and follow us on Facebook HERE and Instagram HERE. Early bird pricing is available.
To discuss all professional learning options, please contact [email protected]
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For more information on our in-school workshops, in-school shows, professional development opportunities, and our physical theatre residency, please visit divetheatre.com or email [email protected]
Key learning outcomes
Drama - Theatre of the Oppressed
Students will be able to:
- Apply Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed methodology — including image theatre and forum theatre techniques — to investigate real-life scenarios involving power, conflict, and injustice
- Use dramatic action to analyse the causes and consequences of difficult social situations, going beyond discussion into embodied, practical exploration
- Develop and rehearse alternative responses to challenging scenarios, building practical problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Demonstrate critical thinking by examining social and ethical issues from multiple perspectives within a structured ensemble environment
- Build empathy, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills through roleplay and guided group reflection
- Connect theatre practice to civic and ethical understanding, recognising performance as a tool for social agency and community change
General Capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking · Ethical Understanding · Personal and Social Capability · Intercultural Understanding
Cross-curriculum note: Strong alignment with HPE outcomes in respectful relationships, mental health and wellbeing, and community health. Also supports HASS outcomes in civics, citizenship, and social justice. Suitable for whole-year-group programs addressing restorative practices, bullying, inclusion, or respectful communities.
Psychological Safety & Participation Statement
D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all secondary-aged participants. Theatre of the Oppressed methodologies often involve exploring social dynamics, lived experiences, and personal values. At times, these conversations and activities may connect to personal experiences, and strong feelings, memories, or difficult emotions may arise. We prioritise emotional regulation, voluntary participation, and respect, ensuring that every “spect-actor” (participant) feels heard and empowered.
Our Approach to Psychological Safety:
· Before the Work Begins: Every session opens with a carefully sequenced series of physical games and ensemble exercises drawn from Boal’s methodology. This is a deliberate process of preparing the body and building the social conditions of the room—establishing trust, group agreement, and a shared creative contract before any scenario-based work begins.
· Agency: Participation is always a choice. Participants have the right to “pass,” observe, or step out of an exercise at any point without needing to justify their choice.
· Consent: All physical movements and role-playing scenarios are treated as proposals to try. We practice active consent in all touch and spatial awareness exercises.
· Confidentiality & Respect: Participants are required to treat the personal stories shared in the space with the utmost respect and confidentiality.
· Debriefing: Every session concludes with a debrief that gives language to student experience and anchors the learning before they leave. Students are also able to access a list of resources for further support and information regarding mental health.
If you have specific concerns about your student cohort prior to the session, we strongly encourage you to contact us in advance. We are experienced at adapting our facilitation approach and are always willing to discuss the needs of your students before we arrive.
Additional Information
Venue: – for workshops, we require a classroom, without furniture, that allows students to move freely; – our shows can be adapted to any venue – our playing space is 6m x 9m.
Contact Megan O'Hare for Theatre of the Oppressed Workshop: D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective
About the Artist
D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective is a Sunshine Coast-based multicultural contemporary theatre company that provides performing arts experiences of the highest calibre. We are a dynamic ensemble dedicated to pushing the boundaries of traditional theatre through innovative storytelling and immersive experiences. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective aims to create thought-provoking productions that resonate with audiences on a profound level.
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