Based on the teachings of Viola Spolin, and the work of the New Games Foundation these workshops use improvisational techniques and group challenge exercises to build group problem solving skills, dynamic and energy.

The brain of Building Company’s work is the analytical Image Theater of Augusto Boal’s Theater of the Oppressed. Images of unfairness are looked at in their real state, as participants experience them in everyday life; and in their ideal state, where the unfairness no longer exists. Then the work of the transitional image begins. Participants use the inherent analysis of Image Theater to get from the real to the ideal.

Originally designed for enhancing the public-school classroom learning environment, game theater strategies use the essential tasks of a variety of games – theatrical and everyday – to build and maintain maximum “learning” energy.

The heart of the Building Company’s work is the Improvisational Show. These performances are high energy, fun, creative and audience interactive. They can be geared to any age, length, theme, or message.

The actors present a scene of a social ritual that has become oppressive for someone. An everyday situation reveals an ongoing injustice in an unsolved form. The audience observes analytically. Next, the actors present it a second time and the game begins. The audience is challenged to enter into the play and introduce strategies for change that will overcome the ritualistic oppression.

This theater style grew out of our work with Labor Schools. It provides an easily accessible, user friendly process for developing a client based educational theater piece.