CONTEMPORARY DIRECTING AND DRAMATURGY
History and Aesthetics of Theatre
TEACHERS
Alexandre Pieroni Calado
Tiago De Faria
DATES
20 March — 18:30–20:30
21 March — 11:30–13:30 and 14:30–16:30
26 March — 18:30–20:30
PRICE
€60
LOCATION
Anfiteatro VIII — University of the Azores and Online
FORMAT
In-person with online streaming
Feedback from Circolando Company at POP 2025 – Photography by Alba Valadez
MODULE CONTENT
This module offers an overview of the major aesthetic transformations that have shaped theatre from the twentieth century to the present day, seeking to explain how contemporary theatre emerged. It begins with the historical avant-gardes — such as Expressionism, Symbolism and Constructivism — showing how they broke with the traditional dramatic model and redefined the relationships between text, staging, body and space, establishing the stage as an autonomous territory for experimentation.
It then moves to more recent practices, often associated with postdramatic theatre, in which visual, sonic, documentary and performative dimensions take centre stage in relation to textual narrative. The module proposes a threefold perspective: an international reading of aesthetic transformations, their impact in Portugal, and their practical translation for those who create, direct or engage with theatre today.
The aim is to provide accessible tools to understand contemporary theatre as a plural, diverse language in constant reinvention.
PROGRAMME BY DAY Four sessions exploring some of the ideas and transformations that have shaped theatre — from Aristotle to postdramatic theatre. Friday · 20 Session 1 — The Drama of Drama Starting from Aristotle’s Poetics and the early crises of the dramatic model in twentieth-century theatre. Saturday · 21 Session 2 — The Spectacle is Not Spectacular José Ortega y Gasset and his reflections on theatrical spectacle. References to artists and performing arts groups in Portugal. Session 3 — And Now, What Should We Think? Performance (Richard Schechner), postdramatic theatre and anti-theatricality. Discussion: Manifesto for a Realist Theatre by Thomas Ostermeier. Thursday · 26 (online) Session 4 Directing practices that help us understand contemporary theatre — from body and presence to collective creation and visual and sonic dramaturgies.
Principles of Directing
DATES AND TEACHERS
(already confirmed)
João Brites
Teatro O Bando (Palmela - PT)
April 9 – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Marianne Weems
The Builders Association (NYC - USA)
June 18th – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Thomas Ostermeier
Schaubühne (Berlin - DE)
Date to be confirmed
PRICE
€60
VENUE
Online and at the Public Library and Municipal Archive of Ponta Delgada
FORMAT
In-person with online streaming
The sessions with the remaining teachers will be announced shortly.
MODULE CONTENT
Following the exploration of the main aesthetic movements of twentieth-century theatre in Module 1, this module focuses on the practice of directing, exploring different ways of thinking about and constructing the stage.
Through four directors with distinct artistic approaches, it presents a plural perspective on contemporary creation, highlighting diverse methodologies for transforming ideas, texts, bodies and materials into stage language.
Rather than proposing a single method, the module offers multiple references and processes, encouraging each participant to develop their own artistic practice.
Dramaturgy and Stage Composition
TEACHER
Tiago De Faria
DATES
8 - 10 de July 18h às 21h,
and 11 (saturday ) 10h-13h and 15h às 18h
PRICE
€80
LOCATION
Aula Magna Auditorium
University of the Azores
FORMAT
In-person
WORKSHOP FULL - REGISTRATION AVAILABLE FOR WAITING LIST ONLY
MODULE CONTENT
Following the exploration of the aesthetic shifts of contemporary theatre (Module 1) and the fundamentals of directing (Module 2), this module focuses on dramaturgical creation and stage composition.
Participants work on transforming textual, documentary, visual, gestural or sonic materials into concrete scenes, articulating writing, action, rhythm, body and space.
The module offers techniques for building dramaturgy through multiple artistic languages, fostering a practical and in-depth understanding of contemporary theatre-making processes.