Final answer:
Autonomous theatre is where performers create their own works, often without a fixed script, to stimulate discussion and solutions to societal issues. This aligns with the principles of applied theatre, exemplified by practices such as Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of theatre where performers create their own works, sometimes using a traditional text as a starting point, is referred to as autonomous theatre.
This style of theatre is often aligned with the principles of applied theatre, which does not always follow a formal, written script. Instead, applied theatre can involve the participants generating the subject matter themselves, frequently facilitated by a theatrical leader who guides the performance.
Augusto Boal and his Theatre of the Oppressed, where theatre reflects life's virtues and defects, exemplifies this. This kind of theatre is designed to stimulate conversation and find solutions to problems.
Often, it involves community-based stories, which can lead to open-ended interpretations inviting audience discussion and involvement. Furthermore, auteur directors infuse their productions with multiple layers of artistry by adding their unique aesthetic visions to the playwright's story.
Documentary Theatre is another related concept that informs and engages audiences in factual yet interpretative discussion.