Reflecting on Potentials of Street Theater as Counter-power

Street theater is inherently different from the museum or socalled elite arts, and its artists use theater not as mere art, but as a tool working toward peace and as a counter-power in the fight against discrimination and inequality. Transcending the confines of the playhouse, street theater expands its scope of influence over streets and communities and goes beyond the traditional rules of the classical stage to establish a deeper connection with different audiences. Street theater is the voice of those who are cut off from mainstream media channels but still want to express their views. Street theater conveys alternative voices and beliefs, performs an effective socio-political function in society, and promises to make a positive change in the lives of everyone. It uses the power of collective participation—a vital force in human nature—to explore the adverse conditions in society and encourage individuals to make an effort to achieve collective growth. This study aimed to review the counter-power potentials of street theater. The results show that artists can employ the potentials of this theatrical form to free themselves from the cultural dominance of power institutions that dictate their own artistic values and contribute to the growth of society in social, political, educational, and cultural terms.