1. Cyprus, Limassol 2011 Theater group ON - OFF

3. THE TEAM The theatrical team is a mixed abilities group, which includes people with special needs (mild mental retardation and psychical disorders). Our main goal is to support and strengthen the participation of socially excluded people in everyday life and culture.

4. Activities Theatrical performances are based on the Augusto Boal’s - theater of the Oppressed. It’s a theater of dialogue, we play and learn together. We combine our need of creativity and freedom (the meaning of life) with the discipline (the social life).

5. Performances

6. We give performances at schools in Cyprus. In this way we try to promote personal growth to the audience. It’s not easy for the audience to distinguish, which members of the group have special needs and this one of our main goals. We use theatre as mean of knowledge and transformation of reality in the social and relational field.

8. Outcomes Through our activities we explore our bodies and voices, we learn how to manage stage space and performance time, we study effective interaction with others, and learn various communication techniques. Acting on stage gives individuals an opportunity to perform unusual roles, helping them to be "liberated" from low self- image, fear and a lack of confidence.

9. Outcomes In addition, theatrical shows performed by the disabled assist in improving the general public’s perception about people with special needs, demonstrating that people with disabilities are valuable members of society, capable of contributing to the social and cultural life of their communities.

11. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION!