At Theatre of the Oppressed NYC, we don’t just tell stories—we ignite action. We envision a future where communities most impacted by systemic oppression have the power, agency, and collective voice to shape the decisions affecting their lives.

A collage of photos of a theatre performance by Escucha Central to our approach are our Forum Theatre Programs, created in partnership with direct service and advocacy organizations across the city. Through these programs, we pay individuals to create original plays about their lived experiences. These plays are then presented to audiences of activists, advocates, legislators, policy-makers, community members and other stakeholders. As part of each performance, audience members are invited on stage to improvise as one of the characters they have seen represented; testing out alternate approaches to entrenched systems and collectively, creatively brainstorming change.

The funds raised through the Dynamize! campaign will support compensation for community actors, OMNY cards and food, and production and documentation costs.

Our programs currently operate at Housing Works, serving individuals experiencing homelessness and/or affected by HIV/AIDS; the Ali Forney Center, serving LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness; SAGE, supporting LGBTQIA elders; and the Fortune Society, supporting people who have been incarcerated. TONYC’s Spanish-language troupe, Escucha, is an ensemble of immigrant activists performances focused on workplace discrimination, housing instability, and the increasing threat of detainment. Most programs have operated for up to 12 years with 1-2 cycles annually.

Since our founding in 2012, our community actors have developed over 185 original plays, and presented 400 free performances. Forum Theatre and Legislative Theatre performances have contributed to the NYC Cultural Plan, the guidelines for NYCID, and supported community organizing events hosted by Fair Fares, Brooklyn Movement Center, NICE-NY and the Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing.

TONYC’s creative contribution extends beyond individual performances. Through facilitation trainings, workshops, and our publication The Wildcard Workbook: A Practical Guide to Facilitating Forum Theatre, we share Theatre of the Oppressed tools with educators, artists, activists, and community organizations seeking to integrate participatory theatre into their own work.

Learn More!

Read Navigating the End of the Eviction Moratorium in New York City Through Theatre in Shelterforce.
Watch at https://www.tonyc.nyc/videos_press
RSVP for our upcoming trainings and events at www.tonyc.nyc/events
Meet the team and board at: www.tonyc.nyc/team

Everyone who donates during our Dynamize campaign will be entered into a random drawing to win the following:

2 Tickets to Mix and Master at Roundabout Theatre
2 Tickets to 2027 Shakespeare in the Park
A collection of items from Patagonia

Dynamize!

A Fundraiser for Theatre of the Oppressed NYC

Team Members