Changing the Center

This chapter argues for recognizing the work of centuries of Black praxis and pedagogy and centering those who often work on the margins to lead the transformation of theatre training. With deep reflection on the praxis of Black Liberatory Pedagogy, theatre trainers and practitioners can begin to frame a new orientation for teaching and a post-lockdown world, where many of our students are experiencing trauma, and our theatrical reality is shifting with both new demands and new pressures. In recognizing the faults of conservatory practices of “neutral” and “break you down to build you up,” this chapter pushes for a liberatory framework in which the practitioner and scholar must first learn to see and understand their students and the benefits of a liberatory training praxis.