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
- Ecology of Theatre and Performance
- Ecotheatre, ecodramaturgy and ecoperformance;
- Ecoscenography, theatre and the green deal;
- Ecology in plays, talking about ecology through theatre and performance;
- Creative processes and practices related to the environment, sustainability, and climate change.
Artistic/
Figurative
- Creative practices as acts of resistance, recognition, and regeneration;
- Creative processes and practices focused on diversity and inclusion in the arts;
- Creative practices in formal and informal spaces (e.g. conventional spaces, site-specific, site-responsive, alternative spaces);
- Innovative performing arts practices that challenge the existing performing art norms;
- Artist-led initiatives, responses, and strategies that address significant societal issues.
Economical-
social
- Sustainability and performing arts;
- Innovative business model in the field of theatre and performance, as well as production processes focused on social justice, equity, and diversity, challenging the existing norms and question the status quo;
- Artistic activism for social, economical and environmental change as well as in creating community;
- Digitalisation as a facilitator for creative participation in a hybrid world;
- Political-repressive dimension faced by theatre and performance, and the endangerment and eradication of artistic freedom.
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.
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.
- 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
- 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
Useful links
Travel from and to the airport
BUS - Bus Garraf
Train
Train
The price from the airport to Sitges is approximately 70 euros.
Hotels
HOTEL MEDIUM SITGES PARK – HOTEL ROMÀNTIC – HOTEL RENAIXENÇA
Promotional code: EASTAP24
Promotional code: EASTAP24
Promotional Code EASTAP24
At the end of the selection, enter the code and finally, press “Availability and Rates”
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.
