Journal of Theatre Anthropology
Not a member yet
81 research outputs found
Sort by
Stories in Between Anthropology and Theatre
Full text linkIn this article Mette Bovin narrates her experiences and anthropological fieldwork among different African peoples since the 1960s. Her research brought her to meet the Mumuye people in Nigeria, and the Wodaabe people in Niger. In 1982 Mette Bovin invited Roberta Carreri to West Africa where they started the project on Bartering performances in Niger and Burkina Faso. The author also describes her personal experience as a participant during nine ISTA sessions and the impact of those encounters on her life
Learning to Teach: Chronicle from the ISTA/NG 2021
Full text linkThe article aims to evoke the atmosphere and work environment of the theatre experiences the author encountered as an observer participant of the 16th session of ISTA/ NG (International School of Theatre Anthropology/New Generation). Held in Favignana, Sicily, from 1 to 22 October 2021, the session was renamed ISTA/NG, as part of a knowledge sharing project promoted by the Fondazione BarbaVarley established in December 2020. Beside the narration of the events, the article includes questions concerning the pursuit of a language that tries not to betray the complexity of a practical adventure that involves both cognitive and sensorial spheres. Particular attention is given to the presence at ISTA/NG of Kapila Venu, an Indian teacher who found herself working with Eugenio Barba for the first time, having to learn how to teach all over again. Kapila Venu becomes the focus to analyse the material and immaterial dimension of the pedagogical tradition founded by theatre anthropology that concentrates on the first day of work. According to Eugenio Barba, it is in that first moment of learning that the physical and ethical foundation is put for the future theatre profession
Odin Teatret revisité
Full text linkThis is an excerpt of the article by Liliana Alexandrescu that was published with the same title in the Romanian journal Dramatica 1/2014, “Eugenio Barba. Celebrating 50 years with Odin Teatret.” Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai, pp. 157-182. After two meetings with Eugenio Barba and Odin Teatret’s actors, in 1976 and in 1981, the author visited Odin Teatret’s home and was fascinated by Barba’s and his actors’ working model. In 1985, Alexandrescu attended the ISTA symposium held in Malakoff, France, 20th-21st April 1985. The paper presents the symposium, enriched by original notes taken by the author
The Pen and the Katana: Drawings as testimony
Full text linkThis article presents eight drawing montages which illustrate eight moments where Eugenio Barba’s theatre anthropology met cultural psychiatry in Jacques Arpin’s personal and professional life. The principles of theatre anthropology are developed into therapeutic processes in collaboration with performing artists from other cultures
Between the Face and the Mask
Full text linkThrough this article, first published on the 25th of November 1986 in the American weekly newspaper The Village Voice, Eugenio Barba replied to “Roles and Poles Apart”, Erika Munk’s day-by-day report of the ISTA’s conference The Female Role as Represented on the Stage in Various Cultures, published in the same newspaper two weeks before, on the 11th of November 1986. In her article, the American author accused ISTA director and scientific staff of being sexists and of having neglected the sociological question of gender equality. In his answer, Barba clarified the fundamental principles examined during the conference and the aims of ISTA
The Motherland of Arlecchino
Full text linkIn this article the Italian performer Claudia Contin Arlecchino reflects on her personal and artistic experience with the masque of Arlecchino (Harlequin) acquired in 35 years of practice, teaching and research. Working on different “archetypes” of Commedia dell’Arte (Zanni, Pantalone, Balanzone, Arlecchino, Brighella, Lovers, Captains, Servants, Courtesans, Pulcinella), and interrogating fundamental aspects of her own techniques and training, the author offers an insight into several components of the performer’s craft, such as the body, gymnastics, acrobatics, dance, impulses, rhythm, and exercises. What is at stake is the reconstruction of an extra-daily behaviour, which allows to give new life to an acting technique based on tradition
Bananes et mystère: Interview by Julia Varley
Full text linkJulia Varley interviews Jean-Marie Pradier about the circumstances of his meeting with Eugenio Barba in 1975 in Holstebro. At the time he was based in Montevideo, Uruguay, where he had founded an experimental theatre group; Pradier was immediately attracted by the artistic, theoretical and ethical orientation of Barba’s research. Pradier invited Barba to speak in September 1979 at the International Colloquium in Karpacz, Poland, on the biological aspects of theatre, in which also Henri Laborit (Albert Lasker Prize for Medicine) and Jerzy Grotowski took part. In turn, Barba invited Pradier to join the founding team of ISTA - International School of Theatre Anthropology, and to participate in its first session in Bonn in 1980. The interview looks back at the intense exchange of these circumstances, and their influence on the creation of ethnoscenology (1995)
Report on the 5th Session of ISTA
Full text linkThe 5th public session of the International School of Theatre Anthropology (ISTA) was held in Otranto – a region of Salento, Italy – from September 1st to September 14th, 1987. This session was the conclusion of the research which began with the foundation of ISTA in 1979 and constitutes the point of departure for further work. Faithful to its principles, ISTA organised the 1987 session in a way that allowed for the integration of past experience with new methodology and practice. This integration was realised through a combination of specialised work sessions and encounters with different peoples of the region. In this way, ISTA was able to enter into the living cultural weave of its host, Salento. Preparatory work, as well as scientific and artistic projects, helped ISTA meet the local culture in a manner which was neither abrupt nor articifial
Aprender a mirar a través del cuerpo y la voz
Full text linkThis article (“Learning to see through the body and voice”) presents Cecilia Hopkin’s experience on the teachings of theatre anthropology in her activities: journalism, acting and teaching. The wide field that constitutes the terrain of the pre-expressive taught her to observe the body of the performers in search of the poetic aspects of the performance. Cecilia Hopkins learned to watch the performances she had to review as a journalist from the parameters of pre-expressiveness. In training she found different ways of developing her acting, directing and teaching, always taking into account the various levels of the drama- turgy that come together in the body and in the voice
Rapport sur la 4éme session de l’ISTA
Full text linkAfter the end of the 4th edition of ISTA, held in Holstebro in 1986 between September 7th to 21st, Jean-Marie Pradier, member of the scientific staff since the first ISTA edition, reports on the activities which took place in the session. The report, accessible at Odin Teatret Archives, presents in depth the theme of the session, the characteristics of the research and the organisation of the congress