Bertolt Brecht: The Revolutionary
Brecht wasn't just a playwright - he was a theatrical rebel who wanted to change how audiences think about the world. Born in 1898 in Bavaria, his experiences watching friends join the army turned him into a passionate opponent of war and supporter of Marxist ideals.
His epic theatre style deliberately reminded audiences they were watching a performance, not reality. This technique, called the alienation effect, prevented audiences from getting emotionally swept away so they could think critically about the social and political messages in his work.
Brecht's strong socialist beliefs made him enemies with the Nazi regime, forcing him to flee Germany in 1933. His political non-conformity wasn't just personal drama - it shaped every aspect of his theatrical approach, making his work a powerful tool for social change.
Key Point: Brecht used advanced technology and multimedia to constantly break the "fourth wall" and keep audiences thinking rather than just feeling.