Every person is an actor in his or her own life. 

Theatre of the Oppressed NYC works with local communities including the homeless, immigrants, prisoners, teenagers and teachers to establish "popular theatre troupes" all over New York City. These ensembles create and tour original, interactive plays inspired by real‐life struggles, in order to engage peers in theatrical problem‐solving and incite transformative action. 

Concrete Justice
esablished summer 2010


About the Troupe
Concrete Justice uses Theatre of the Oppressed as a medium for communal problem-solving around the issues of homelessness, joblessness and related discrimination. In their daily lives, the actors struggle with mental illness, addiction, alcoholism, family problems, unemployment, hunger, lack of sleep, lack of health care, and the stigma of homelessness.

Performance History
"The Park Bench Prophet: Beggar with a Cause"
The story of a homeless prophet, a modern-day Cassandra ignored by his fellow New Yorkers, told through interactive theatre, puppetry and poems. 
10 performances, May 2012-Feb 2013

"It Could Happen to You" 
An original, interactive theatrical event based on real-life experiences of homelessness and discrimination.
7 performances, Oct 20, 2011-Feb 26, 2012

"Hellter Shelter"
A story of corruption, discrimination and dehumanization in the NYC shelter system, told through original documentary footage, interactive theatre, break-dancing and laughter. Created and performed by the guests of Jan Hus Homeless Outreach and Advocacy, based on the real-life experiences of the ensemble.
6 performances, June 9-Nov 2, 2010
"It's an opportunity for deep solidarity-building with the homeless."
-Ashley Welch, Our Town News

Street Poetry 

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Purchase this collection of original poetry and photos for $18 to support the work of Concrete Justice! 

Housing Works 13 Theatre Troupe
est. fall 2011


About the Troupe
Collaborating with the Housing Works organization, The 13 Theatre Troupe’s work is based in the Theatre of the Oppressed methodology. In the rehearsal and development process, the actors share real-life stories of oppression, then choose, refine, cast, improvise and script these stories, utilizing found, recycled materials to serve as costumes and set. The 13 Theatre Troupe’s actors have been investigating discrimination towards homeless and HIV+ New Yorkers since fall 2011.

Performance History
"In Your Face"
In Your Face investigates the challenges of disclosing HIV status and interacting with the police.  
4 performances, Dec 2012-Jan 2013

"Stigma and the City"
A parody of Sex and the City based on the real-life experiences of the ensemble.
4 performances, June-July 2012

"The Worm in the Big Apple"
Tragedy and triumph, humor and humiliation: by the Housing Works community.
3 performances, Nov 2011-Oct 2012
"The show has given our clients an outlet to be advocates by using their creativity."
-Candace Rivela, Housing Works Rec Coordinator

The Door Troupe
est. Summer 2012

About the Troupe 
In collaboration with The Door, a comprehensive youth services center, this troupe investigates issues of racism, reproductive rights, disability discrimination, bullying and more.  Actors focus on urgent issues in their communities as a springboard for developing scenes. 

Performance History
"The People’s Theatre Debut"
A closer look at discriminatory policing and youth resistance.
August, 2012

"Two Short Plays: It’s Not What it Seems & Teenage Pregnancy"
Investigating disability-based bullying and youth reproductive rights.
December, 2012
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photo by Dave Ratzlow

Immigration Theatre
est. summer 2010


About the Troupe
In collaboration with People’s Theatre Project and the Northern Manhattan Coalition on Immigrant Rights, Immigration Circus is compelled to the stage by real struggles with immigration and deportation. Addressing issues such as employment and educational discrimination, injustice in the courts, familial separation, and more, this bilingual troupe poses hard questions, and invites audiences to participate in activating change.

Performance History
"Let Me In"
An original, interactive and bilingual theatrical event based on the performers’ true stories of immigration and discrimination.
3 performances, Feb 9-Feb 16

"Immigration Circus"
An original, interactive and bilingual theatrical event based on the performers' true stories of immigration and discrimination.
2 performances, Nov 10-Nov 11
"The plays are really meant as dress rehearsals for real life."
-Clem Richardson , NY Daily News

Ali Forney Theatrical Society
est. fall 2011


About the Troupe 
In partnership with the Ali Forney Center, a shelter for LGBT homeless youth, this TONYC troupe investigates every-day issues surrounding the LGBT community. Actors offer their individual experiences with homelessness and commonplace discrimination as tools for understanding and change.

Performance History
"Rejection Reflections"
Four performances: June - July 2012

"Performing Gender Pronouns"
The Ali Forney Theatrical Society investigates every-day issues surrounding the LGBT community, offering their individual experiences with homelessness and commonplace discrimination as tools for understanding and change.
2 performances, Nov 15, 2011-Feb 9, 2012
"The entire point of the Theatre of the Oppressed is to change the meaning of the word oppressed"
-Avather St. Vincent, troupe member

Young Women's Leadership (various troupes)
est. summer 2009


About the Troupes
With high-school and college-aged women at the Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute, Sadie Nash Leadership Project, African Services Committee, BronxWorks, Girls Inc., and the Hispanic Resource Center, TONYC uses forum theatre to explore challenges relating to gender and women's empowerment. 

These troupes have developed seven original forum theatre plays and have trained as facilitators in their own communities. They continue to create and perform interactive theatre addressing women's issues. 
"Theatre of the Oppressed NYC has been a key to transformative change for the young women in the Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute....forum theater performances have unlocked the abilities to connect to the collective consciousness of the group."
-Antoinette Klatzky, 
Eileen Fisher Community Foundation

Bronxworks Troupe

Bronxworks, a settlement house and community center in the Bronx, helps individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being. TONYC works with youth ages 12-17 in Bronxworks' after-school program on Grand Concourse, creating forum plays about teen life in the Bronx. The troupe's first play, Fatou and Fatou, addressed domestic violence and sexual harassment.