The Power of Play - An Introduction to Boal

The work of Brazilian theatre practitioner Augusto Boal is often studied in senior secondary school contexts, but what can it offer younger students? In this resource, we explore some of Boal’s most famous games and Image Theatre exercises, with a specific focus on adapting them for younger students. How can we engage in playful physical work in ways that are safe and consensual? How can we explore social issues of interest to young people and get them to “dig deep”?  These are just some of the questions we will explore together, along with practical tools for connecting this work into your existing curriculum. 

This resource is based on a workshop delivered in Tāmaki Makaurau by Kim Snider in May 2025. It features some of the topics, themes, and extension ideas suggested by workshop participants.