Center for Theater and Performance Studies

Center for Theater and Performance Studies is an interdisciplinary institution dedicated to the advancement of Theater, Performance Art, and Dance studies, collaborating with renowned organizations such as the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, and American Ballet Theatre. The center's mission is to foster innovative research and artistic expression, engaging with prominent figures like Samuel Beckett, Tennessee Williams, and Martha Graham. By exploring the intersection of Theatre of the Absurd, Expressionism, and Postmodernism, the center aims to contribute to the global Performing Arts community, including institutions like the Juilliard School, Yale School of Drama, and Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Through its diverse programs and initiatives, the center seeks to promote cross-cultural understanding and exchange, inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht, Konstantin Stanislavski, and Vsevolod Meyerhold.

● History

The center's history is deeply rooted in the Avant-garde movement, influenced by pioneers like Eugene O'Neill, Erwin Piscator, and Bertolt Brecht. Founded by a group of visionary artists and scholars, including Jerzy Grotowski, Peter Brook, and Joseph Chaikin, the center has evolved into a thriving hub for Experimental Theatre, Physical Theatre, and Devised Theatre. The center's early years were marked by collaborations with iconic companies like the Living Theatre, Theatre du Soleil, and Mabou Mines, as well as influential festivals such as the Avignon Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Theater der Welt. These partnerships have enabled the center to stay at the forefront of Theatre Research, engaging with leading institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, New York University, and University of London.

● Organization

The center is governed by a board of directors comprising distinguished professionals from the Performing Arts sector, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Cate Blanchett, and Simon McBurney. The organization is divided into several departments, each focusing on a specific aspect of Theatre Studies, such as Playwriting, Acting, Directing, and Theatre History. The center also maintains strong ties with prominent Theatre Companies, like the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Public Theater, and Guthrie Theater, as well as esteemed Festivals such as the Sundance Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, and Cannes Film Festival. Furthermore, the center collaborates with renowned Museums and Galleries, including the Tate Modern, Museum of Modern Art, and Centre Pompidou, to showcase innovative Performance Art and Installation Art.

● Research and Programs

The center's research initiatives encompass a wide range of topics, from Theatre and Politics to Performance and Technology, involving scholars like Herbert Blau, Elinor Fuchs, and Peggy Phelan. The center offers various programs, including Master's degrees in Theatre Studies, Performance Studies, and Dance Studies, as well as Certificate programs in Playwriting, Acting, and Directing. These programs are designed in collaboration with esteemed institutions like the University of Oxford, Harvard University, and Columbia University, and feature guest lectures by prominent artists like Robert Lepage, Anne Bogart, and Tadashi Suzuki. The center also hosts Conferences and Workshops on topics such as Theatre and Social Justice, Performance and Identity, and Dance and Culture, featuring keynote speakers like Angela Davis, bell hooks, and Judith Butler.

● Notable Affiliates

The center has been affiliated with numerous notable artists, scholars, and companies, including The Wooster Group, Forced Entertainment, and Theatre de la Ville. Prominent figures like Tilda Swinton, Willem Dafoe, and Isabelle Huppert have participated in the center's programs and events, alongside renowned Choreographers like Pina Bausch, Trisha Brown, and William Forsythe. The center has also collaborated with esteemed Composers such as Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and John Adams, as well as celebrated Visual Artists like Marina Abramovic, Matthew Barney, and Carsten Höller. These affiliations have enabled the center to maintain its position at the forefront of Theatre Research and Performance Studies, engaging with leading institutions like the University of Chicago, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

● Performance Venues

The center is equipped with state-of-the-art Performance Venues, including the Main Stage, Black Box Theatre, and Dance Studio. These venues have hosted a wide range of productions, from Classical Plays like Shakespeare's Hamlet and Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard to Contemporary Works by Caryl Churchill, Tom Stoppard, and Sarah Kane. The center's venues have also been used for Dance Performances by companies like the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Trisha Brown Dance Company, and Pina Bausch Tanztheater Wuppertal, as well as Music Concerts featuring artists like John Cage, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Thom Yorke. Additionally, the center's venues have been utilized for Installation Art exhibitions, showcasing works by artists like Marina Abramovic, Tino Sehgal, and Ragnar Kjartansson, and Film Screenings of classic and contemporary Cinema, including works by Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, and Quentin Tarantino. Category:Performing arts