Facing Race: A National Conference in St. Louis, MO — November 20-22, 2024

S. Leigh Thompson

Executive Director | The Forum Project

S. Leigh Thompson is a social justice artist, critical educator and raging queer originally from Omaha, Nebraska. He is the co-founder and Executive Director of The Forum Project, an NYC-based organization that uses creative tools to engage communities in dialogue around power, privilege and oppression. Leigh holds a BA in Theatre and an individualized MA from NYU focused on using creative participation for political and social change.


Presentations from Facing Race 2014

Break it Down! Deconstructing Power, Privilege and Oppression using Theatre of the Oppressed

The first tool in building liberation is a strong and critical understanding of the structures of power that create the systems of privilege and oppression. Theatre of the Oppressed techniques are dynamic, dialogic, engaging and effective. In this workshop, participants will be challenged to use the body as a tool to explore and express complex ideas. Focusing on intersectionality and multiple identities, participants will creatively deconstruct systems of power and dialogue about race while reconciling experiences of oppression and privilege. By facilitating a workshop utilizing Theatre of the Oppressed, we will provide Facing Race participants critical scaffolding upon which to base a continued dialogue on racism throughout the conference. For all bodies and mobilities.

Speakers: S. Leigh Thompson, Charles R. Shealy

Presentations from Facing Race 2012

Addressing Racism Using Theater of the Oppressed

Through Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) games and activities, participants will sharpen their skills in recognizing structural racism, and learn ways to break mechanized thought patterns that perpetuate oppression. This highly interactive workshop is fun, fast-paced and playful, and has a participatory approach that enables activists, educators, and racial justice advocates to grow their toolbox for affecting social change. Theatre of the Oppressed facilitates a centrally shared experience of dialogue, critique and self-reflective learning around the nature of oppression. Games and conversations will revolve around issues of structural inequities, intersectionality and allyship, intentionality and impact, and systems analysis on levels of racism. No previous TO experience necessary.

Speakers: S. Leigh Thompson