Popular theater

Abstract

This article explores Popular Theatre from its ancestral roots to its contemporary manifestation. It is argued that theatre, as one of the most primitive forms of human expression, originates in the gestures and performances of primitive man in front of his reflection in water. This study argues that ritual theatre and dance, with their masks and costumes, have influenced current forms of popular theatre, which preserve a link to the tradition and culture of the people. Despite the negative perceptions and stigma associated with Popular Theatre, it is argued that this theatrical form is an authentic expression of national identity and a crucial tool for communication and social resistance. The article examines how Popular Theatre, by incorporating elements of folklore and responding to socio-political realities, remains a vital form of critique and transformation in Ecuadorian society.