This course places a strong emphasis on audience participation and on integrating theories of engagement and inclusivity into performance practice. We explore participants' agency through theoretical frameworks and case studies, ranging from ritual practices in the Global South to contemporary theatre and performance from different parts of the world. By examining the performative aesthetics of participatory performance alongside the ethical questions it raises, participants develop the critical and practical tools needed to create participatory theatre. Together, we investigate whether participatory theatre can function as an alternative public sphere that fosters meaningful encounters, dialogue, and emancipation.