street theater

American  

noun

1. the presentation of plays or other entertainments by traveling companies on the streets, in parks, etc., often with the use of temporary or mobile stages.

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Etymology

Origin of street theater

An Americanism dating back to 1955–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

street theater

In May, the group sang songs and performed anti-AI themed street theater outside of the Oakland federal courthouse during the high-profile Musk-Altman trial.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

There was one critic from the New York Times, Richard Eder, who said it was street theater on the wrong street.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 21, 2026

To build trust, the children in the workshop called “Theater Curbs Violence” organized by BIT-HAÏTI, a street theater group, practice falling backward into someone’s arms.

From Seattle Times ● May 26, 2024

A satirical street theater group called Ladies Against Women arrived dressed in conservative garb and held up signs that read “Every Sperm Is Sacred!” while singing the Monty Python hymn.

From Slate ● Sep. 26, 2023

A small crowd surrounded them, enjoying the morning's street theater.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda