blog!!!

i think i finally understand what boal means when he says that the masses/audience is oppressed by the aristocracy (i still find the use of the word "oppression" questionable, however). anyhoo, certain parts of the reading really clarified the idea for me. before, i was thinking of theatre as mostly plays and musicals and how that kind of theatre is more associated with the upper classes. so, i couldn't understand how any and everyone else was being oppressed. but thinking of theatre in a more general sense of the word and including more than just such-and-such-kind-of-play in such-and-such-kind-of-venue, i see how it has the potential to reach a much wider audience. boal also mentions television (even though he doesn't consider it art) and how dominant forms found in theatre can also be found in television shows. and of course theatre reaches a very wide audience. also, when boal talks about the "aristocracy" i no longer think of the aristocracy (i.e. fancy-pants, old-money, etc. kind of people). i think he just means the ruling class, those with the power and money. and since these people are the "dominant class," their art will be the "dominant art." i get it now.