Completing this module, students should be able to:

- Assess and define the activist themes in plays
- Gain a broad knowledge of dramatic approaches to the topic
- Interpret the impact of activism in theatre works and in theatre-making
- Critically analyse performative/theatrical elements within activists’ approaches.
- Evaluate the efficacy and aims of activist theatre
- Acquire an understanding of how Activism in theatre has changed and evolved
- Grasp some of the key dramatic techniques employed by activist playwrights

Indicative Module Content (subject to change):
Lecture Schedule:


Class 1: Introduction: Defining Activism and its Place in Theatre

Class 2: The Good Person of Szechwan: Brecht’s Mark on Political and Activist Theatre

Class 3: Waiting for Lefty: Labor Rights and Audience Engagement

Class 4: Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed and its Lasting Impact

Class 5: What Use are Flowers?: Activist Playwrights and Critiques of Power

Class 4: 1960s Radical Theatre: Antiwar and Radical Approaches to Activism

Class 5: Seven: Women and Gender Rights Activism

Class 6: The Normal Heart: AIDS Activism and LGBTQ+ Rights

Class 7: The Exonerated: A Case Study about Capital Punishment and Theatre’s Influence on Politics

Class 8: Performing Street Activism: How Can We Be Effective Activists?

Class 9: Lydia: Immigration and Disability Rights

Class 10: Climate Change on Stage and Beyond

Class 11: Theatre Activism Within: Evaluating Efforts in Current Theatre Practices to Change Longstanding Inequities

Class 12: Review and Preparation for Exam

Not applicable to this module.

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities

Assessment Strategy: Continuous Assessment: Weekly Reflection Sheets and Attendance/Contribution – 30% Assignment: Critical Paper about Activism – Week 6 – 30% Examination: Exam (2 Hours) – End of Trimester – 40% Feedback Written feedback will be provided to students individually throughout semester. Feedback on mid-term paper given within two weeks. End of term exam feedback will be offered in the post-assessment period.