German Theatre and Performance

The advanced German Theatre course is designed for international students with a background in theatre & performance studies and/or German literature and culture. It offers an in-depth exploration of historical, aesthetic and methodological issues as well as practical workshops focusing on performance techniques, text analysis, and contemporary approaches to staging. Students will engage with a variety of texts from classical to contemporary modern German drama, critically examining their historical and cultural contexts and exploring innovative methods of performance and interpretation.
Course Objectives: 1) to deepen understanding of the history of German theatre, from classical to contemporary periods; 2) to explore the works of iconic German playwrights and directors; 3) to critically analyse the texts, performance styles, and socio-political contexts of German theatre and their resonance on the Italian stage; 4) to enhance practical skills through workshops and collaborative projects, with a particular focus on intermedial transformation and intercultural transfer.

By the end of the course, students are expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes: 1) an in-depth knowledge of the key aspects, periods, figures and theories of German theatre history; 2) the ability to critically analyse iconic German plays and performance techniques, examining their socio-political contexts and their influence on global theatre, particularly on the Italian stage; 3) enhanced teamwork skills and practical experience of "Theaterarbeit", with a particular focus on a) intermedial transformation and b) intercultural exchange.
In relation to a), students will explore contemporary staging and performance techniques and learn to interpret German theatre through innovative, interdisciplinary practices that integrate text, movement, and multimedia elements. With regard to b), students will explore methods of translating, adapting, and mediating German theatre for the Italian context.