The rise of Hitler had a significant impact on theatre in Germany. After coming to power in 1933, Hitler systematically removed those who opposed him from positions of influence, including many theatre artists. Theatre shifted towards propaganda that promoted Nazi ideology. In response, some artists developed new forms of political theatre like epic theatre, which used non-traditional techniques to promote critical thinking in audiences and distance them from emotional engagement with characters. Notable figures who developed epic theatre to resist Nazi influence included Bertolt Brecht, Erwin Piscator, and Wolfgang Langhoff.