NETTO – 5 day training course in Italy

Newspaper Theatre: drama-based techniques using newspaper articles or other media products to reflect on socially relevant issues.

Where? In Italy, in the city of Bologna

When? From March 17 to 21, 9am-5pm
(all day, so consider the time to arrive! if possible, arrive to Bologna on the 16th and depart on the 21st afternoon to engage fully with the training).

EU-funded 5 days training for adult educators, group leaders, activists, youth workers, social workers, psychologists, art therapists, and artists who focus on social issues by using creative methods – who will empower the communities and work for social change and transformation.

Join our training to learn about “Newspaper-Theatre” drama techniques using newspaper articles or other media products to reflect on socially relevant issues.

Practice some of the “Newspaper-Theatre” techniques in a safe environment, with Roberto Mazzini (founder of Giolli Cooperative), expert of Newspaper-Theatre and other Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) techniques, who has an experience over 30 years of utilising TO to educate people and groups about and liberate them from oppression.

What is the “Newspaper Theatre”?
The Newspaper-Theatre (NT)  is a concept developed by Augusto Boal, the Brazilian theatre director and creator of Forum-Theatre, Invisible-Theatre, Image-Theatre, Rainbow of Desires and more. NT helps participants to learn critical thinking skills and encourages us to critically consume media and news, as well as inspire us to artistically process current events. NT techniques can be implemented as part of other processes and can be its own performance. 

What will we cover in this training?
We will learn (through our own experience) classic Boal’s 11 techniques of Newspaper Theatre;
starting with an analysis of current media, and the influence of digital, we will address how they connect with us and with theater activities.
We will then go on to investigate the use of Newspaper-Theater and how Boal’s classical techniques can be adapted to modern times. This part will be a common research!

Is it necessary to have prior knowledge?
No, the training is suitable for all people who want to experiment with Newspaper-Theater. The facilitators of the training are the staff members of Giolli Coop, and they will share some useful materials on Theatre of the Oppressed as well as Newspaper-Theatre before the event.

What language will we speak in?
The training is in English, we will try to use understandable and simple language.

How many people are admitted?
To ensure a fair level of participation, the training is open to 20 people. Should we receive more applications, we will organize a list based on:
– ability to use this technique in a real-world setting (so we will try to prioritize those who have the capacity to implement these techniques in their work)
– capacity to attend the whole course (and not only individual days)
– fostering diversity among the group (prioritising people coming from differing backgrounds).

Shortlisted applicants might be invited for an (online) interview, which is planned between February 5-12th.
Participants of the training are expected to apply the technique in their work and/or organise a short process or workshop to use NT in May-June 2025 as foreseen in the NETTO project.

Financial conditions:
– the training will be free, and there will be a partial travel reimbursement for participants
– accommodation and meals, on the other hand, are the responsibility of the participants (these costs can be covered partially).

How to register?
Fill out the following link: https://forms.gle/kWWtBGyvLeXS8UqZ8
(registration is open until Feb. 9 midnight)

Some final information
– training materials will be made available for those who cannot attend the event (on Giolli and Artemisszio webpages). 
– this is not the last event of the project, local interventions will be organised (in Italy and Hungary), as well as we will share our experiences and things we have learned online.
Write to netto@giollicoop.it if you would like to be updated!

Timing
– registration is open until Feb. 9 midnight
– by mid-February, people participating will be confirmed
– participants will receive more information about the exact location (in Bologna) and reimbursement arrangements to follow.