Room4

Augusto Boal, founder of Theatre of the Oppressed, once said:

“Anyone can do theatre, even actors. And, theatre can be done anywhere, even in a theatre.”

Have we made theatre more exclusive than it needs to be?

I love this quote.
It’s funny.
It’s sharp.
And it’s uncomfortably true – the kind of truth that makes you sit up and ask the hard questions.

Let’s be real – for too long, theatre’s been dressed in velvet and gatekept by those who mistake access for ability.

To quote Augusto Boal:

“No!”

That’s nonsense.
Theatre is for everyone.

Even actors.
Bless them.

Theatre as a Human Right – Not Policy

Theatre Comes From Purpose

I’ve worked in black boxes and dusty community halls, in fully funded auditoriums and budgetless miracles in the back alleys, held together with gaffer-tape and sheer will. And what I’ve learned is:

The most powerful theatre doesn’t come from polish. It comes from purpose.

Theatre, at its core, is about connection. And anyone with a beating heart, a story, and the guts to tell it already has what it takes. You don’t need a drama degree or a spotlight or a perfect RP accent.

You need honesty.
Breath.
Presence.
A willingness to show up.

That’s it.

The Best Theatre I’ve Ever Seen?

Raw. Visceral. Unapologetic.

It wasn’t in a glittering auditorium.
It was in a black box with folding chairs and dodgy acoustics, under a spotlight someone probably bought on special at Makro.

The performers?
They were stepping into the light for the first time.
And they meant it.

There was something electric in the room – not because of technical polish, but because what we were witnessing was raw.
Visceral.
Sincere.
Unapologetic.

It wasn’t trying to be something it’s not.
It just was.

And that kind of theatre?
That’s the kind that sticks to your ribs.
That’s the kind that changes you.

Because it’s not about how fancy your lighting rig is.
It’s about truth. Presence. Risk.
It’s about people willing to show up honestly in front of other people – and that, to me, is the most courageous thing you can do on a stage.

Even in a Theatre

What “Make Room” Really Means

The second half of Boal’s quote is the kicker:

“…and theatre can be done anywhere, even in a theatre.”

This one hits home for me.

I manage a theatre. I teach in a theatre. I write for the theatre. And that’s exactly why this quote unsettles and inspires me. Because even from inside the heart of the institution, I feel the need to push against its walls.

To remind myself (and others) that the building is not the boundary – it’s the beginning.

But only if we allow it to be messy.
Inclusive.
Raw.
Real.

When we say “theatre can be done anywhere,” we don’t just mean physical space. We mean emotional space. Cultural space. Political space. Space outside of policies.

We mean: make room.

Make room for stories that challenge.
Make room for voices that weren’t always invited.
Make room for theatre that doesn’t look or sound like “theatre” — but burns with truth anyway.

Even if it makes us uncomfortable.
Especially if it does.

Boal reminds us that theatre is not sacred because of its rules.

It’s sacred because of its possibility.

If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong in a theatre space –
because of your background, your training (or lack thereof), your accent, your age, or your truth, I hope you know this:

You do.
You belong.
You are theatre.

Let’s build something.
Let it be messy.
Let it be raw.
Let it burn.
Let it challenge.

But for God’s sake – let it be real.