Reclaiming Resistance: Brazilian Feminist Voices and the Theatre of the Oppressed

Abstract

Feminist activists in Brazil have powerfully adapted Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed, using participatory theatre to highlight and resist women’s experiences of oppression. Through interactive performances, audiences witness struggles and collectively problem-solve, creating a democratic space for community building and agency. This paper examines how Brazilian feminist theatre groups use Boal’s methodology to challenge patriarchal norms and reclaim cultural and intellectual labor. By analyzing the intersections of theatre, gender, and politics, the research emphasizes how these performances foster solidarity, amplify women’s voices, and disrupt long-standing patterns of marginalization. Drawing on case studies from Brazil, the analysis considers how the Theatre of the Oppressed has been specifically transformed to address issues such as gender-based violence and reproductive rights, framing these interventions as acts of narrative reclamation and resistance. This research centres participatory practices within the Brazilian context to demonstrate how feminist applications of Boal’s work have contributed to broader movements for social transformation. The Theatre of the Oppressed thus serves as a powerful framework for feminist resistance and collective reimagining in Brazil.