guerrilla theater

noun

1. the presentation of short propaganda plays or skits, usually on sociopolitical themes, as war or repression, often on the streets or in other nontheater locations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of guerrilla theater¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

With its flair for guerrilla theater, the SLA picked the Hibernia Bank to rob, knowing that security cameras would capture Hearst storming the lobby with a military-style M1 carbine, under no apparent coercion.

From Los Angeles Times

And then as I got older in my education, I was basically a co-artistic director of a young improv troupe that would go out and do guerrilla theater.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the actions he advocated were benign guerrilla theater, like dressing in hazmat suits outside national parks to highlight the risk of pollution.

From New York Times

“The Yippies are pranksters and street artists and guerrilla theater people,” he said.

From New York Times

Its entwined stories, narrated by a journalist, follow Nelson, a young actor cast in “The Idiot President,” a guerrilla theater company’s touring show, and Henry, the company’s leader and a former political prisoner.

From New York Times