Why Theatre XL! program: “Playful Participation” around the work of Rimini Protokoll, 10-11 November 2016

We are proud to welcome the renowned theatre collective Rimini Protokoll as guests of our new edition Why Theatre XL!

Taking Rimini Protokoll’s artistic work as starting point, we will discuss the relation between theatre and games, the way ludic elements and structures can be deployed in theatre to engage the audience and to address actual social issues (e.g. climate change, data surveillance, Europe). The program consists of a public lecture (Nov, 10th) and a workshop (Nov, 11th) and will address both the larger context of today’s participatory culture’ and the dramaturgical implications of incorporating ludic elements in performance.

Situation Room – Rimini Protokoll

Program

Thursday, Nov 10 2016

19:30-21:30, Het Huis, Boorstraat 107, Utrecht

Lecture by Stefan Kaegi (theatre maker) and Imanuel Schipper (dramaturg) of Rimini Protokoll about several projects in which games, ludic elements and ludic structures play a role (Situation Rooms, Home Visit Europe, World Climate Conference, and Top Secret). What do game strategies have to offer? What are the possibilities, but also the limitations? What are the implications for the creative making process?

We have asked three guests to respond to the lecture on the basis of their expertise and to present Rimini Protokoll with a (critical) question. The respondents are: Joost Raessens (Professor in Media Theory, UU with a focus on ‘the ludification of culture’); Marcel Dolman (Head Education Interactive Performance Design HKU) and Emke Idema (theatre maker, in 2014 she created RULE, a performance designed as a game).

Tickets 7,50 – Free entrance for students from HKU and UU, upon showing their student card.

Home Visit Europe – Rimini Protokoll

Friday, Nov 11 2016

12:00 – 17:00, location: tba

Hands-on workshop for students/alumni from the field of theatre studies, dramaturgy, scenography, game studies, game design and interactive design.

Interdisciplinary groups will work on a concrete dramaturgical problem concerning the use of ludic elements and game structures in performance. The problem is derived from Rimini Protokoll’s actual practice and will be introduced by the artists. Each group will develop an answer to the presented problem and present their proposal to Rimini Protokoll.

Participating in this workshop is for free. However, the available places for this workshop are limited. Selection is based on the order of signing up and the right mix of expertise.

You can register for this workshop until Thursday, 3 Nov 2016 at marijn.lems@hethuisutrecht.nl, indicating in the subject line: workshop Rimini Protokoll. Please mention in the email your first name and surname and the school or program you are enrolled in. You will be informed no later than Monday, Nov 7th if you can participate.

About
The WhyTheatre?! collaborative program of Het Huis Utrecht and Theatre Studies / Utrecht University will continue this season as WhyTheatre XL! The WhyTheatre XL! are extended editions that focus on actual and relevant topics in contemporary theatre and performance, building connections between theory and practice.

This Why Theatre XL! edition is financially supported by Residencies in Utrecht (City of Utrecht), MWC Expertise Centre (Utrecht University), HKU Professorship Performative Processes, and Master Scenography (HKU).