HISTORY AND AESTHETICS OF THEATRE

THE ATLAS TRAINING PROGRAMME BEGINS NEXT WEEK

ATLAS — Theatrical Aesthetics

History and Aesthetics of Theatre

The first three sessions of the programme, delivered in person and online by Alexandre Pieroni Calado, explore some of the key ideas and transformations in the history of theatre — from Aristotle to postdramatic theatre — seeking to understand how contemporary stage practices emerged.

Programme

Friday, 20 March

The Drama of Drama 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Starting from Aristotle’s Poetics, this session examines the foundations of the dramatic genre and analyses a number of twentieth-century performances that challenged and destabilised the traditional dramatic model.

Saturday, 21 March

The Performance Is Not Spectacular 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

From José Ortega y Gasset’s reflections on theatrical spectacle to contemporary performance practices.

And Now, What Are We to Think? 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Performance (Richard Schechner), postdramatic theatre and anti-theatricality.

Discussion: Thomas Ostermeier’s A Plea for a Realistic Theatre.

Thursday, 26 March6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

A fourth session, held online only and led by Tiago de Faria, dedicated to directing practices that help us understand contemporary theatre — from the body and presence to collective creation, from postdramatic fragmentation to composition through image, sound and technology.

Please note: All times are given in Azores Time (AZOT).

ALEXANDRE PIERONI CALADO

Born in Lisbon, he is a theatre maker and researcher, currently serving as Guest Assistant Professor at the School of Theatre and Cinema (ESTC). His artistic work has focused on a cycle of research, creation and dissemination projects exploring the roots of violence within the Greco-Roman cultural tradition. This line of inquiry has resulted in productions such as Lebre (2022), A Parede (The Wall, 2019), A Morte nos Olhos (Death in the Eyes, 2018), and O Declive e a Inclinação (The Slope and the Inclination, 2016).

He also created Kaspar: Palavra Soprada (Kaspar: Whispered Word, 2017) and A Arte Degenera à Medida que se Aproxima do Teatro (Art Degenerates as It Approaches Theatre, 2017), alongside a series of recreations of landmark Portuguese stage productions from the twentieth century, including Dramas de Princesas. A Morte e a Donzela (2015), Woyzeck 1978 (2014), Quarteto (2013), and Pregação (2012).

He holds a degree in Theatre from ESTC (2007) and a PhD in Performing Arts from the School of Communications and Arts of the University of São Paulo (ECA/USP, 2011). He has taught at both the School of Theatre and Cinema and the University of Évora, while also collaborating with several vocational and technical training institutions.

He is a member of the Research Centre for Arts and Communication and has published extensively in the fields of actor training, pedagogical processes and genetic criticism, while also developing editorial and research projects.

TIAGO DE FARIA

A Portuguese director, choreographer, teacher and university lecturer with an international career spanning more than two decades, he has worked across artistic creation, research and new technologies in academic, professional and community contexts since 1998.

He graduated in Acting from the School of Theatre and Cinema (Lisbon) and later specialised in actor training, contemporary dance and stage movement in London, studying at the Central School of Speech and Drama (MA), the London Contemporary Dance School and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

A university lecturer since 1999, he has taught at the Central School of Speech and Drama, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and the University of Évora. He also served as Scientific Coordinator at the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre and directed CEPIA in Évora, where he brought together artistic creation, training and performance research.

His work has received awards at festivals in Spain and Morocco. Notable productions include Julieta (2010), featuring music by António Victorino d’Almeida, and Ouço-te na Sombra da Praça Vazia Mas Não Sei de Ti (I Hear You in the Shadow of the Empty Square but Know Nothing of You), presented at the POP Festival in 2023.

Founder of Teatro Manga, he maintains a practice grounded in research through practice, exploring movement, directing, choreography, acting and writing, with a particular focus on the relationship between art, aesthetics and citizenship.

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ATLAS is part of the programme of PDL26 – Portuguese Capital of Culture.