The Free Theatre is only what it is in the present moment. Whoever contributes to Free Theatre at any given time defines the group. That is to say, because Free Theatre remains a collaborative and group-based organisation with as much emphasis on process as final product, the contributors necessarily have a greater impact than in many hierarchical theatres.

In a sense, the very notion of 'free' theatre resists rules or manifestoes. However, this sort of 'free'dom has meaning only in contrast to existing constraints. Since society evolves, and with it our perception of constraints, there have been countless manifestoes over the years that have had, at core, this impetus to liberate the theatre from its conservatism and, in so doing, perhaps help to liberate society as well. These are presented with the added thought that to be true to any set of ideals, one must adapt them to one's own social and political context.