Social Justice Theatre

Theatre and social justice have gone hand in hand from the beginning of Western theatre history. The ancient Greeks wrote about issues surrounding morality, ethics, and justice, while centuries later, the plays of George Bernard Shaw were highly politically motivated. Although the term ‘social justice theatre’ is often hotly debated, broadly defined this form of theatre provokes an empathetic audience response to unjust situations or characters facing various forms of injustice. Related issues include, but are not limited to, racism, harassment, gender-based violence, ageism, and equality. Naturally, social justice theatre is continually developing and evolving as a concept in response to contemporary society.

Key Dates, Events, & Genres

• 1935-1939 - The Federal Theatre Project.
• 1943 - 17 Mexican-American youths were charged with the murder of José Gallardo Díaz, leading to the Zoot Suit riots.
• 1965 - Luís Valdez creates El Teatro Campesino, a revolutionary theater troupe performing one-act plays to educate and politicize farm workers in the fields.
• 1976 - for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf is Tony-nominated for Best Play.
• 1979 - Luís Valdez’ play Zoot Suit premieres at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, California. It is an instant hit, bringing Mexican American audiences to the theater that had never attended before.
• 1979 - Augusto Boal publishes The Theatre of the Oppressed.
• 1985 - The Los Angeles Poverty Department is founded by director and activist John Malpede.
• 1986 - The Center for the Theatre of the Oppressed is opened in Rio de Janeiro.
• 1992 - Anna Deavere Smith presents Fires in the Mirror. She follows this with Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 (1993).
• 2000 - The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman and the Tectonic Theatre Project.