Dialogue Theatre Module
Watch the Introduction
Watch Exercise 1 - Warmup
About The Module​​​​
The module​ is a comprehensive training in the Dialogue Theatre technique. There are 39 exercises in four series - Conflict Series, Character Series, Devising Series, and Dialogue Series. The module is presented in a step-by-step form, combining narrated description of the process, footage of a workshop process, facilitation tips, and the theoretical principles that guide each exercise.
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The module has been developed and produced by Richard Barber, Pongjit Saphakhun, and Janita Barber. The workshop footage involves the following members of the Free Theatre ensemble - Gabriela Georges, Deng Deng, Lara Week, and Juan Camilo Riano, with the assistance of videographers, Moayad Alhabi and Diego Cifuentes, and web designer Ricardo Zorondo. Content has also been drawn from a number of Makhampom and Free Theatre works, and the Dialogue Theatre team would like to acknowledge all who have assisted in producing this resource.
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Dialogue Theatre derives from the multi-decade practice of Makhampom and Free Theatre. There have been numerous influences in the development of the form, most notably, Theatre of the Oppressed & Image Theatre and Lecoq's physical theatre, and Ilbijerri Theatre's toolkit. Dialogue Theatre is part of the exchange and adaptation within the world of applied and contemporary theatre and hopes this resource can offer another body of knowledge to this community. ​​​​

Conflict Series
The Conflict Series consists of inclusive discussions, tableaux exercises, and small group improvisations to draw the groups ideas and lived experience together into the skeleton of a conflict scenario….the Conflict Series is about concerns and interests, Other voices, its about truth, authenticity, representation, and stereotyping…and its grounded in the power of the image as a theatrical tool
​In the Character Series, the focus is on character development, bringing the diverse voices to life as they become the vehicles for dialogue…The Character Series is about naturalism and the living character, its about separating character and self, its about physicalisation and subtext…and its about relationships and power…as we step into the character shoes

Character Series

Devising
Series
The Devising Series enables the conflict scenario and characters to be integrated into a narrative Play feeding into the Dialogue performance as a group curated framework…the Devising Series is about collective visualisation, the grey areas of conflict, the acting tools of energy, emotion, and tempo, and its about context and transformative change…leaving us prepared for dialogue
Finally, the Dialogue Series steps us through Dialogue Theatre performance, as the actors, in character, engage with the audience members to unpack the issues exposed on stage…from pre-performance process to the Play…then transitioning into the Open Dialogue…then into a series of participatory Breakout Workshops…and finally bringing the event to a close
