Boal, Augusto

Early Career as an Artist

Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1931 to poor Portuguese immigrants (his father operated a bakery), Boal started [Page 81]out studying chemical engineering, then travelled to the United States in 1953. Though originally intending to continue his studies in engineering, he began observing classes at the Actors' Studio in New York and ended up studying theatre with John Gassner. Soon after he returned to Brazil in 1955, he joined the Arena Theatre of São Paulo, where he became co-director with José Renato from 1956 to 1962 and then director until 1971.

Boal is credited with reviving Rio's Arena Theatre by promoting national playwrights and creating a venue for national appreciation of classic works. Following the 1964 military coup in Brazil, he directed Opinião (Opinion), a successful musical that drew attention to the possibility of political resistance through the arts. Its success set into motion a series of musical plays, including Zumbi in 1965, which was Boal's first attempt to facilitate interaction using a character called the joker. His performances were popular in both Brazil and the USA, and his success continued until his unexpected arrest in São Paulo on 10 February 1971 as he was walking home from a rehearsal.

Boal ‘disappeared’ for 10 days, during which time he was tortured, while his wife, Cecilia Thumim, and colleagues did not know his whereabouts. He was then placed in solitary confinement for a month, before being transferred to a state prison, where he shared a cell with about 25 other political prisoners. It is said that when the prisoners in the cellblock next to his learned that he was there, they would sing to him—at night, after lights out—popular songs from his musicals.

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