Applied Theatre Studies and Production Dramaturgy

Applied Theater Studies accompanies students from both faculties of the HfBK in their artistic development. We understand theater here as a showroom, from the Greek origin of the word theā́sthai (θεᾶσθαι) 'to look, to watch, to contemplate'. Before the theater as it exists in Germany today, there is the ritual. To this day, this showroom remains connected to ritual. Just as the university remains connected to rituals, with seminars, annual exhibitions, the tour and graduation ceremonies.
 

Theater in its existing institutional form is in need of change. It continues to bear the traces of sexist, patriarchal domination that persist in its modes of production to this day. Applied Theatre Studies at the HfBK Dresden is looking for new forms of show and gathering that not only place human people at the center of attention. It opposes a logic of resources that devalues everything that is not man-made as background and material, or nostalgically glorifies it as nature. The aim of applied theater studies is to try out new aesthetics in theory and practice that expand the showroom and in this sense have an educational effect on society.
 

Applied Theater Studies offers introductory courses to an expanded concept of theater that considers everyday practices, politics and teaching equally from the perspective of theatricality. Advanced seminars deepen access to culturally diverse theatrical practices, which are reflected upon theoretically and practically. The aim of Applied Theater Studies is to open up existing theater practices towards a planetary theater that pays attention to and gives weight to all bodies.