EASTAP Annual
Conference 2024

Ecosystems of Theatre and Performance

(28 October – 2 November 2024)

We are delighted to announce the EASTAP Annual Conference 2024, hosted by the Institute of the Arts Barcelona (Sitges, Spain), under the theme “Ecosystems of Theatre and Performance”. As host city, Sitges has been a biosphere destination since 2016, and is committed to environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

The conference aims to bring together international scholars, practitioners, and researchers, inviting submissions for papers and presentations that delve into various aspects of this theme and offer fresh insights into the dynamic field of theatre and performance.

We aim to make productive the terminological shift of the concept of ‘ecology’ to ‘ecosystems’ within the realm of theatre and performance. “Ecosystems of Theatre and Performance” invites proposals that explore the scientific-environmental, figurative, and economical dimensions of these dynamic artistic systems.

Shifting from the perspective of “ecology” to “ecosystems” and addressing the three meanings of the term (scientific-environmental, artistic/figurative, and economical), possible conference topics include but are not limited to:

Scientific-environmental

Artistic/
Figurative

Economical-
social

We encourage interdisciplinary approaches spanning theatre, performance studies, cultural studies, sociology, education, technology, philosophy, comparative studies, natural and physical science, and more. This conference aims to facilitate meaningful discussions, knowledge exchange, and collaborations among diverse participants.

The event also constituted the opening “ECOSYSTEMS OF THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE” RESIDENCE FOR ARTISTS, funded by CULTURE MOVES EUROPE and the European Union, implemented by the Goethe Institute.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWLOAD THE CONFERENCE PROGRAMME 

ASSOCIATE SCHOLAR

Prof. Emerita Maria Shevtsova (Goldsmiths, University of London)

 

ASSOCIATE ARTIST

Marco Paolini

ACADEMIC KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

  • Julie Sermon (University of Lyon, France)
  • Khalid Amin (Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Morocco)
  • Carl Lavery (University of Glasgow, UK)

 

ARTISTIC KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

  • Jozef Vlk (Debrys Company, Slovakia)
  • Aïda Colmenero Dïaz (Cía Aïda Colmenero Dïaz, Spain)
  • Liz Pugh (Walk the Plank, UK)

 

PROFESSIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

  • Santiago Fondevila Nadal (Ara, Spain)
  • Alfredo Esposito (Difesa d’Autore, Italy)

 

 

Masterclasses and performances

Confirmed masterclasses

 

  • Esther Mollo and David Ayoun – Théâtre Diagonale (France) – On “Le corps utopique”
  • Sarah-Jane Mason and Simon Turner – Lacuna Festivals (Spain) – On Artist-led Festival Management and Creative Processes
  • Hawah Bunduka (Sierra Leone-UK) – On Decolonial Body Practice as an Act of Resistance, Acknowledgement and Healing
  • Oscar Valsecchi – Compañía Nacional de Teatro Clásico (Spain) – On Contemporary Embodiment of Classical Repertoire
  • Alfredo Esposito – Difesa D’Autore (Italy) – On Copyrights/Copyleft in Performance and Generative Artificial Intelligence
  • Martin Lewton – Theatre North (UK) – On Queer Performance

Confirmed Performances

  • Les Ruines Circulaires:

Drawing on fantastical narratives and science fiction, this installation-performance offers a reflection on the fragility of our contemporary humanity in the age of emerging artificial intelligence and robotics.

It is a physical and sensory experience where two bare and fragile bodies confront the mechanical sophistication of a digital device.

www.lesruinescirculaires.art

  • Special Screening by Choreoscope – International Dance Film Festival of Barcelona. Curated by Lorand Janos (Artistic Director – Choreoscope Dance Film Festival). Films:
    • Two to tango
    • They Saw The Sun First
    • The Rooster
    • The divine flower
    • Table for one, please
    • Abbiosis

Screening followed by Q&A with the directors, creators and choreographers:

Lucía García (“Abbiosis” – Spain);

Rolly Dib (“The Rooster” – Lebanon);

Tessa van der Riet (“The Divine Flower” – The Netherlands)

 

Temporada alta discount

We are pleased to announce that the conference will take place in connection with the Temporada Alta festival  Participants will have the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets for selected performances through the EASTAP website. On the web we will also provide information on how to get to the city of Girona and Figueres where the Festival takes place. The performances available with a discount are:
  • 29th of October – Teoria King Kong, by Virginie Despentes / La Virgueria (in Catalan).
    • 50% code: TKK50P2910
  • 31st of October – Lab WE by Mal Pelo (without text).
    • 50% code: LB50P3110
  • 31st of October at 11h, 14h, 16h in Black Box Theatre Studio E: Interactive Performance-Installation
  • 2nd of November – Prima Facie, by Suzie Miller (in Spanish)
  • 3rd of November – Machine de Cirque (without text)
    • 50% code: MDC50P0311

FESTIVAL PARTNERS IN THE ORGANIZATION

  • Temporada Alta
  • Choreoscope Barcelona Dance Film Festival
  • Africa Moment
  • Lacuna Festivals

 

SCIENTIFIC AND ARTISTIC COMMITTEE

  • Airan Berg – Circus of Knowledge | University of Linz
  • Cosmin Chivu – Pace University New York | The Actors Studio Drama School | Sibiu Performing Arts Market
  • Alix de Morant – Université Paul Valery Montpellier 3
  • Nick Hollamby – Institute of the Arts Barcelona
  • Loránd János – Choreoscope Festival
  • Saumia Liyanage – University of the Arts in Colombo
  • Stefania Lodi Rizzini – Université Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris 3
  • Darko Lukić – Independent scholar
  • Erica Magris – Université Paris 8 – Saint-Denis
  • Eva Martz – Complutense University of Madrid | Eva Martz Contemporary Dance Company
  • Drew Mulligan – Institute of the Arts Barcelona
  • Christoph Pasour – International University of Barcelona
  • Magda Romanska – Emerson College | metaLAB (at) Harvard University & FU Berlin
  • Asta Petrikienė – Lithuanian Culture Research Institute
  • Andrew Sherlock – Liverpool John Moores University
  • Avra Sidiropoulos – Open University of Cyprus | Persona Theatre Company
  • Jozef Vlk – Debris Company
  • Daniel Wetzel – Rimini Protokoll

Additional Emerging-Scholar-Forum-focused Scientific and Artistic Committee:

  • Michal Denci – National Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava
  • Milija Gluhovic – University of Warwick
  • Sarah-Jane Mason – Lacuna Festivals | University of Leeds
  • Simon Piasecki – Liverpool John Moores University
  • Fabio Pisano – LiberaImago Theatre Company
  • Anthony Trahearn – Institute of the Arts Barcelona

Travel from and to the airport

BUS - Bus Garraf

If you land at Terminal 1, you can take the Bus Garraf from the lower ground floor straight to Sitges. If you are going to the centre it is the first stop and if you are going to the IAB it is the third stop (but you need to ask to the driver to stop at La Masia stop in order to book the stop).
If you land at Terminal 2, you would take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 1 in order to catch there the Bus to Sitges.
Visit busgarraf.cat for more info https://busgarraf.cat/
The journey by bus will last 20 minutes

Train

The train leaves from the terminal 2, in the direction of Barcelona. Change at El Prat De Llobregat stop and take another train directed to Villanova i la Geltrú stopping at Sitges.
 
The journey by train will last 30 minutes

Train

The price from the airport to Sitges is approximately 70 euros.

Hotels

HOTEL MEDIUM SITGES PARK – HOTEL ROMÀNTIC – HOTEL RENAIXENÇA

Promotional code: EASTAP24

Hotel Calipolis

Promotional code: EASTAP24

Hotel Suburmaritim

Promotional Code EASTAP24

At the end of the selection, enter the code and finally, press “Availability and Rates”

CAMPING EL GARROFER

Promotional Code EASTAP24

Booking dates: from today until 2/11 (inclusive)
Stay dates: 27/10 to 2/11 (inclusive)
Discount: -10% off the regular price on the website
Applicable to all types of accommodation.