Beautiful Trouble: A Toolbox for Revolution by Ruben Rubio


When confronting and taking action against an issue, I would focus on using principles that help develop a strong base of supporters.  I want people that will have resilience and not quit when it gets tough.  I want people to be as passionate about an issue as I would be.  I would hold consistent meetings where the arts are used to address our concerns on an issue.  I would use my experience in theater by using improvisations and Theater of the Oppressed techniques to address an issue.  In this way, anyone attending the meetings will engage in the issue immediately using their bodies and minds creatively.  I would also focus on performance based material to avoid being labeled as “just another protestor.”  If material begins to run out, then I would look to Bertolt Brecht’s Alienation Effect (A-Effect) for guidance.  The A-Effect takes something that is common and deconstructs it, so that it causes the viewer to have a new critical response.  Furthermore, I would be aware of my surroundings and find locations where I can reach the most amount of people to help them think about the issues being presented using theater performances that are rich in metaphors and visuals.  My tactics would be to employ action and attack the source of our issue using human blockades, banners, and mobs.  I would rely on having strength in numbers and having a team mentality.  In addition, I would provide information on the issue being targeted and encourage people to use memes in order to keep the message alive to encourage future groups of supporters.

Comments