Community Based Theatre in Israel erupted in the 1970's as an authentic expression of the stress felt by a large section of society labeled "The second Israel". The spontaneous genre sprung up parallel to protest theatre groups in the USA, which formed as a reaction to prejudice between the white majority and the Black and Hispanic minorities.

The class will look at the roots of activist theatre, present examples from the Israeli and world repertoire, question the means of expression used in community-activist theatre and posit the authentic expressive communal-non political performance, as a powerful tool for solidarity building and community activation.

The class will combine academic study, reading dramatic and visual texts and exercises illustrating the empowering dynamic and dialogue theatre can promote.