April 11-13, 2002, Toledo Ohio, USA

We invite proposals on all aspects of emancipatory education and theatre including power relations in the learning environment, systems of structural privilege and oppression, popular education, and subversive challenge. We encourage proposals that relate to any oppressed group. For inclusion in the conference, your proposal must relate in some manner to Paulo Freire's model of liberatory education or Augusto Boal's approach to interactive theatre. We welcome proposals from teachers, theatre artists and community activists who employ the ideas of Freire and/or Boal in their work or research. Please make this connection clear in your proposal. We strongly encourage interactive presentations. Proposals must be postmarked or emailed via website by December 31,2001. Web submissions are strongly encouraged.

Panel Discussions include ...

Examining The Role of Feminism in Education and Theatre for Social Change with Sharon Grady, Lisa Albrect, Rose Brewer and Mady Schutzman. Sharon applies the politics and practice of applied drama & theatre work in education and community settings. Lisa is an activist educator and co-founder of The Freire Center: A Popular Education Center for Democratic Social Change. Rose is the Director of Undergraduate Studies and African Studies and African American Studies at the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis. Mady is a free-lance practitioner of the techniques of Theatre of the Oppressed and Co-Editor of Playing Boal..

Critical Multiculturalism and Social Change Issues with Cheryl Harrison, Johnny Saldana, and Christine Sleeter. Cheryl uses music, theatre, lectures and workshops to encourage social awareness and justice. Johnny’s work is in the field of theatre for youth as a teacher educator, drama specialist, puppeteer, and theatre for youth director. Christine is a critical multicultural educator and Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Education at California State University at Monterey Bay.

Questions? Contact ... Terry Cluse-Tolar (On-site Conference Chair) at the email address below or call.
OR Michel Coconis (PTO President) 614.447.0012 (michel4justice@yahoo.com)
OR Lisa Jo Epstein (PTO Vice President) 402.554.2422 (lisajo@tulane.edu)

Our website will provide proposal forms and updates as they become available.

Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to challenge oppressive systems by promoting critical thinking and social justice. We organize an annual meeting that focuses on the work of liberatory educators, activists, and community organizers. Conference attendees will collaborate in investigations of the roots of class, race, and gender inequalities. This event provides opportunities to combine action and reflection. Liberatory practitioners and theorists will find the conference a stimulating place to share their knowledge and to reflect on and improve their work. We hope that what we practice in our conference can be achieved in the world.