Journal of Theatre Anthropology
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The Spectator’s Shadow: ISTA Salento 1987: the practice of theatre dialogues
Full text linkThe author summarises the different stages of his continuous research on the 5th session of ISTA in Salento (1987) that he began in 1997. The text throws light on the ISTA participants’ group dynamic during the ‘closed’ part of the session, the variety of ‘dialogue- performances’ (barters) with the local population during the ‘open’ part, and quotes several observations by cultural anthropologist Piero Giacchè during his field work which lasted several months
Through a Scientific Lens: At the ‘origins’ of theatre anthropology
Full text linkThis article is based on the broad network of interests established by Eugenio Barba in the first decade of ISTA with the world of science: a fertile, lively relationship with figures inside and outside the world of theatre. With the contribution of archival documents preserved in the Odin Teatret Archives, the article focuses on certain artistic and intellectual episodes that exemplify the relational dialectics of interpenetration, exercised in two opposing tensions (one of approach outwards, the other of attraction inwards), implemented by Barba in a vast knowledge-seeking project, unprecedented in the history of the theatre. It was also based on these premises that Barba promoted the concept of theatre anthropology as a plural, interdisciplinary and intercultural living discipline: a discipline founded on the study of human beings and the history of cultures, combining a purely humanistic approach with new research from the so-called hard sciences. The impact and wide range of interaction of theatre anthropology as a new subject in the field of knowledge subsequently gave rise, over following decades, to ample literature hosting a lively and constructive debate
The Times of ISTA
Full text linkThis article recalls the importance of the organisers and schedules for the development of theatre anthropology during the ISTA sessions, and presents the different generations of teachers
Feminism and Misunderstandings: Reactions after the 4th ISTA in Holstebro
Full text linkThe 4th ISTA session, held in Holstebro in 1986, provoked controversies and discussions. In particular, the American scholar Erika Munk and the American professor Phillip Zarrilli argued against Eugenio Barba. The first accused the Italian director of not taking into consideration socio-cultural aspects concerning the representation of women on stage, the second found a lack of reflexivity in Barba’s research. Analysing writings and essays published after the session, this article presents the confrontation between the scholars and Barba, underlining how such discussions opened up reflections on subjects hitherto neglected
Embodying Essence through Absence: Performance practice and pedagogy through digital platforms
Full text linkIn this article Bianca Mastrominico focuses on how to embody liveness through digital platforms within the framework of theatre anthropology, looking at how remote performers and spectators interact through screen technology to discern principles and techniques that can guide online training, and creating work for a digital spectator. Her conclusions envisage a soft technology which fosters participatory practice and includes the non-human in creative processes
Casting the Net: Interview by Claudio Coloberti
Full text linkInterviewed by Claudio Coloberti in 2007 as part of a series dedicated to the “Voices of ISTA”, Nando Taviani reconstructs his relationship with Eugenio Barba since the early 1970s. In this text, here published for the first time in an English translation, Taviani follows his collaboration with Odin Teatret from the barter in Carpignano in 1974 to the first session of ISTA in Bonn in 1980, towards the formulation of theatre anthropology in a hybrid context of practitioners and scholars
Un coup de pied aux livres: Retour de l’ISTA
Full text linkThis text by the Italian scholar Franco Ruffini (“A kick to the books. Return from ISTA”), was originally published in the book Les Voyages ou l’ailleurs du théâtre. Hommage à Georges Banu, edited by Catherine Naugrette (Alternatives Théâtrales, Bruxelles, 2013, p. 197-207). Ruffini reflects on his personal experiences in the framework of ISTA - International School of Theatre Anthropology, of which he was one of the founders participating as a member of the scientific staff. After the session of the ISTA in Salento in 1987, Ruffini wrote an essay of about sixty pages (“The Actor and Drama. Theoretical Essay of Theatre Anthropology”) in which he developed the methodological and ethical premises experienced in the practical sessions of ISTA for his scholarly pedagogical activity
Photographic Report: ISTA/NG 2021
Full text linkThis photographic report presents a series of pictures taken by Francesco Galli during the 16th ISTA in Favignana in October 2021
