Below are a list of activities that we discussed or did during my workshop as part of the University of Rochester's ARTS+Change Conference 2025. These are all activities that I use as a part of my own work as an educator and facilitator, and I hope you find ways to take them and make them your own in your work, too!
All of these games are from Augusto Boal's Games for Actors and Non-actors, a book I highly recommend to all creatives! I've written these out in my own descriptions and with my own notes, but
Homage to Magritte
In a circle, the Joker shares an object (e.g., a pen), saying "This is not a ___."
The Joker mimes an action using the object, to show what that item is (e.g., playing a flute or swinging a baseball bat).
Others in the circle guess what the item is.
Once it has been guessed correctly, pass the item to the next person in a circle, who then mimes a new action with the object.
Continue until all people have shared an idea.
Other items to try this with: Backpack, ball, folding chair, water bottle
Online Option - Try to pick an object most people will have close at hand, like a notebook or pen/pencil. The Joker calls out a participant, and depending on the number of participants, people can guess by speaking their answer or typing it into the chat.
Image of the Word
In a circle, pose based on a theme.
All look around the circle at what everyone is doing.
Share what we’re seeing, objectively and subjectively.
(Optional) “Dynamize” the image:
Participants join their images together, creating a new group image.
Participants change their images from a “real” image to the “ideal” image.
Image of the Hour
Pose based on a time of day/year.
All look around the room at what everyone is doing.
Share what we’re seeing, objectively and subjectively. This can be done after each time of day, or when processing at the end, depending on your preference and goals.
(Optional) Add different occasions like your birthday, when you do your favorite or least favorite thing, etc.
Complete the Image
In pairs, Person A and B shake hands and freeze.
Person A steps out of the image and observes Person B's pose. What image are they making?
Person A joins the image again, creating a new image based on what they observed from Person B.
Person B steps out of the image and observes Person A's pose.
Person B rejoins the image, creating a new image based on what they observed from Person A.
This can continue as long as you like.
(Optional) Provide themes to the pairs. A favorite series of mine is to start with no theme, then move to high school, then horror movie, and end with power.
If you're moving into discussions of power, you can also ask for two volunteers to do this activity for the rest of the group. On each new pose, ask the group who in the pairing has the power.
Tips: Encourage participants to avoid correcting their partner or explaining what they were actually going for. It's OK if your partner sees something different in what you're doing!
Additional Resources
Books by Augusto Boal
Theatre of the Oppressed (1979)
Great for understanding his theories and practices
Games for Actors and Non-Actors (1992)
Excellent resource for activities to use in group facilitations, education, theatre, etc. - any space where your goal is to build ensemble and encourage discussion
Boal wrote many other books as well!
Theatre of the Oppressed NYC - www.tonyc.nyc
Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed, Inc. - www.ptoweb.org
"Theatre of the Oppressor: Working with Privilege Towards Social Justice" from Come Closer: Critical Perspectives on Theatre of the Oppressed
"Though I experience success conducting TO workshops with marginalized populations, I ultimately came to realize that my most valuable work might be with my 'own' people - those with significant social privileges"
If you'd like to talk more about these games, or you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out!
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