title: Theatre of the oppressed and environmental justice communities: a transformational therapy for the body politic.
abstract: Community Environmental Forum Theatre at UTMB-NIEHS Center in Environmental Toxicology uses Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) to promote involvement of citizens, scientists, and health professionals in deconstructing toxic exposures, risk factors, and cumulative stressors that impact the well-being of communities. The TO process encourages collective empowerment of communities by disseminating information and elaborating support networks. TO also elicits transformation and growth on a personal level via a dramaturgical system that restores spontaneity through image-making and improvisation. An NIEHS Environmental Justice Project, Communities Organized against Asthma & Lead, illustrates this interplay of personal and collective change in Houston, Texas.
authors: Sealy Center for Environmental Health & Medicine/NIEHS Center in Environmental Toxicology, 301 University Blvd, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1110, USA. josulliv@utmb.edu
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Sullivan
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Petronella
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: Brooks
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Murillo
authors: Loree
authors: L
authors: Primeau
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Ward
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000517:prevention & control; D003256:Community Participation; D003254:Consumer Advocacy; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004777:Environment; D004782:Environmental Health; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control; D008145:Louisiana; D011057:Politics; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011577:Psychodrama; D012935:Social Justice; D013781:Texas; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants