Research on Amateur Theatre: Difference between revisions
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This AHRC funded project provided the first major study on contemporary amateur dramatics in the UK. Principle investigator was Helen Nicholson from Royal Holloway, University of London. She collaborated with Jane Milling (University of Exeter) and Nadine Holdsworth (University of Warwick). The aim of the research project was to bring Amateur theatre's active place in the social and cultural life of many communities into the centre of investigation, despite receiving little intervention from funding councils, charities, local authorities and professional theatre. The project was conducted with and by members of amateur dramatic companies, who shared their insights and local knowledge. It resulted in the book [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/978-1-137-50810-2 Ecologies of Amateur Theatre] (Palgrave Macmillan 2018), co-authored by the three investigators. | This AHRC funded project provided the first major study on contemporary amateur dramatics in the UK. Principle investigator was Helen Nicholson from Royal Holloway, University of London. She collaborated with Jane Milling (University of Exeter) and Nadine Holdsworth (University of Warwick). The aim of the research project was to bring Amateur theatre's active place in the social and cultural life of many communities into the centre of investigation, despite receiving little intervention from funding councils, charities, local authorities and professional theatre. The project was conducted with and by members of amateur dramatic companies, who shared their insights and local knowledge. It resulted in the book [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/978-1-137-50810-2 Ecologies of Amateur Theatre] (Palgrave Macmillan 2018), co-authored by the three investigators. | ||
=== Networked | === Networked Projects === | ||
==== [https://www.p-citizens.gwi.uni-muenchen.de Performing Citizenship. Social and Political Agency in Non-Professional Theatre Practice in Germany, France, Britain, Sweden and Switzerland (1780-1850) (2022-2026)] ==== | ==== [https://www.p-citizens.gwi.uni-muenchen.de Performing Citizenship. Social and Political Agency in Non-Professional Theatre Practice in Germany, France, Britain, Sweden and Switzerland (1780-1850) (2022-2026)] ==== | ||
This is the first project to be funded by the European Research Council which makes clear that between 1780 and 1850 amateur theatre played a significant role in the shaping of European societies, cultures and identities. The project proposes the thesis that European amateur theatre in Germany, France, Britain, Sweden and Switzerland had a vital role in the formation of modern concepts of citizenship. Principal Investigator is Meike Wagner (LMU Munich), she collaborates with David Coates (University of Warwick) and Maria Gullstam (LMU Munich). | This is the first project to be funded by the European Research Council which makes clear that between 1780 and 1850 amateur theatre played a significant role in the shaping of European societies, cultures and identities. The project proposes the thesis that European amateur theatre in Germany, France, Britain, Sweden and Switzerland had a vital role in the formation of modern concepts of citizenship. Principal Investigator is Meike Wagner (LMU Munich), she collaborates with David Coates (University of Warwick) and Maria Gullstam (LMU Munich). | ||
=== Platforms and Networks === | |||
==== Research on Amateur Performance and Private Theatricals (RAPPT, platform) ==== | |||
RAPPT is an international interdisciplinary network of Researchers working on Amateur Performance and Private Theatricals from a variety of angles; this site encourages contributions from and collaborations between all those interested in nonprofessional performance: theatre historians, musicologists, literature scholars, practitioners, digital humanists, etc. | |||
Revision as of 09:19, 7 July 2023
Research on amateur theatre in general is a marginalized field in theatre studies. Some historical studies focus entirely on biographical approaches when prominent actors, dramatists, directors have engaged in amateur theatricals.
More recently, many attempts have been made to increase research on amateur theatre in Europe and worldwide widening the scope of research on historiographical and also contemporary amateur theatre practice. The below list is following the geographical focus of research, indicating also research with international and transnational research focus. Publications are listed under "Literature".
Research projects
Germany
HeimatWeltBühne. Amateurtheater in periphären Räumen Ostdeutschlands (2019-2023) (Home country - World - Stage. Amateur Theatre in Marginal Spaces of Eastern Germany)
The project was funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research, it was led by Günther Heeg (University of Leipzig). The project investigated the practices of six amateur theatres and cultural centres in Brandenburg and Saxony. The research aim was to understand their role as a mediator of transcultural education in rural areas. The concepts of "Heimat" ("home country"), "Welt" ("world") and "Bühne" ("stage") were central to understand the different levels of the relation of amateur theatricals to society. Günther Heeg's book Fremde spielen. Materialien zur Geschichte von Amateurtheater (Uckerland, Schibri-Verlag 2020) was a basis to the research.
Switzerland
Femmes "en société". Rôles et importance des femmes dans l'émergence et la création des spectacles de société (2021-2022) (Women in "Society". The roles and relevance of women in the origin and development of "société" performances)
The project led by Valentina Ponzetto (University of Lausanne) was funded by the Swiss National Funds for Research. The project aimed to make visible the numerous women that were active in theatre of society from 18th to 19th century. In this frame they found a favorable terrain to express and develop their creativity.
Théâtres de Société. Entre Lumières et Second Empire (2016-2021) (Theatre of Society Between Enlightenment and the Second Empire)
The project led by Valentina Ponzetto (University of Lausanne) was funded by the Swiss National Funds for Research. The theatre of society was a non-commercial amateur theatre practiced in private or semi-private spaces. The project studied dramaturgical and aesthetical aspects of this amateur theatre by drawing on largely under-studied and little known archival sources. Particular practices of mise-en-scène, the material organization of such theatre and its social and political dimension were in the research focus. Two collected volumes resulted from the research: Espace de théâtre de société. Définitions, enjeux, posterité (Presses Universitaires de Rennes 2020), edited by Valentina Ponzetto, Jennifer Ruimi and Christophe Schuwey; and Théâtre et société. Réseaux de sociabilité et représentations de la société (Etudes de lettres, 2022), edited by Valentina Ponzetto and Jennifer Ruimi.
United Kingdom
Amateur Dramatics. Crafting Communities in Time and Space (2013-2017)
This AHRC funded project provided the first major study on contemporary amateur dramatics in the UK. Principle investigator was Helen Nicholson from Royal Holloway, University of London. She collaborated with Jane Milling (University of Exeter) and Nadine Holdsworth (University of Warwick). The aim of the research project was to bring Amateur theatre's active place in the social and cultural life of many communities into the centre of investigation, despite receiving little intervention from funding councils, charities, local authorities and professional theatre. The project was conducted with and by members of amateur dramatic companies, who shared their insights and local knowledge. It resulted in the book Ecologies of Amateur Theatre (Palgrave Macmillan 2018), co-authored by the three investigators.
Networked Projects
Performing Citizenship. Social and Political Agency in Non-Professional Theatre Practice in Germany, France, Britain, Sweden and Switzerland (1780-1850) (2022-2026)
This is the first project to be funded by the European Research Council which makes clear that between 1780 and 1850 amateur theatre played a significant role in the shaping of European societies, cultures and identities. The project proposes the thesis that European amateur theatre in Germany, France, Britain, Sweden and Switzerland had a vital role in the formation of modern concepts of citizenship. Principal Investigator is Meike Wagner (LMU Munich), she collaborates with David Coates (University of Warwick) and Maria Gullstam (LMU Munich).
Platforms and Networks
Research on Amateur Performance and Private Theatricals (RAPPT, platform)
RAPPT is an international interdisciplinary network of Researchers working on Amateur Performance and Private Theatricals from a variety of angles; this site encourages contributions from and collaborations between all those interested in nonprofessional performance: theatre historians, musicologists, literature scholars, practitioners, digital humanists, etc.