Political Theater

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how political theaters, such as El Teatro Campesino and the San Francisco Mime Troupe, play an important role in highlighting social and political problems and creating a need for change that both unites and inspires society to fight for justice. It looks at how practices upheld by political theaters like these, if projected in the proper manner, instigate and promote socio-political movements. It also discusses how the political theater forum has altered and adapted with the times and according to the socio-political climate of the culture it portrays.

Outline
Thesis Statement
Introduction
Evolution of Modern Political Theater in America
The Chicano Element
San Francisco Mime Troupe
El Teatro Campesino
Brecht's Philosophy and Chicano Theater

From the Paper:

"El Teatro Campesino was formed in 1965; several years after the SFMT had been in existence. It was the conception of Cesar Chavez leader of the United Farmworkers Organizing Committee (UFWOC) and Luis Valdez who had recently left the SFMT. (Author not available 2001) The Farmworkers Theater or El Teatro Campesino was formed in reaction to the famous Delano Grape Pickers' Strike. (Author not available 2001) Valdez was guided by a political and artistic vision and with his roots in the farmworking class of Delano, and his experience with the SFMT in translating controversial social issues into political theater, and formal training in drama he decided to help raise funds for the Chicano farmworking community through political theatre."

More papers on Political Theater:

• Essay # 49634 : "Political Theater"
• Essay # 49415 : "Radical Theater of the 1960s: Of Chicanos and Puppets"
• Essay # 63085 : "The Roman Theater"

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