07 Mar 2016

Applications open for: MA in Directing for Devised and Object Theatre at DAMU in Prague

Program Overview

The Master in Directing for Devised and Object Theatre offers advanced studies in the practice of theatre-making with a twofold focus: learning the process of devising a theatre performance from scratch, with a strong emphasis on a visuality of expression.
Students will learn to create theatre performances with strong visual, spatial, object and media (low tech) aspects, as well as working in other related performance forms such as scenographic installations, sound performances, and other types of performances with strong visual and spatial dramaturgy.
The process will be based in devising techniques: creating thematic, conceptual, and/or documentary projects that are not based in pre-written plays, but are created mainly through the process of rehearsing, often as collaborative work of the whole creative team.
Students will learn to work with variety of authentic, found, and created material: poetry, images, fragments of plays, songs, historical events, personal stories, scientific findings, common knowledge, pop culture etc. Students will further learn a conceptual approach to research and development of materials, creating specific performance structures (in the sense of narrative, space, and relationship to audience), for specific material, and proposing new ways for audience to perceive/experience the performance to provide the students with skills to become independent authors.
Students will further have a possibility to create direct connection to international environment, artists, and institutions as well as connection to Czech artists and companies.


Skills Attained

- Directing theatre performances with strong visual
and spatial components
- Devising performance from a variety of material
- Devising using one's own material (not only interpreting
already existing material)
- Research and development of material
- Creation of a variety of dramaturgical structures
and research of material
- Performing and working with performers
- Performance designing (scenography)


The Department of Alternative and Puppet Theatre (KALD)

KALD has, in its sixty-three years of existence, achieved international recognition and has since its beginnings cultivated new approaches to theatre making. It is vitally connected to the distinguished tradition of Czech puppetry, yet integrates the newest theatrical trends in the areas of object theatre, media and visual arts. The Department's program places emphasis on student collaboration among various fields from performing to performance design. MgA. Jiří Havelka Ph.D., director renowned for devising theatre performances from variety of documentary and fiction materials is the head of the department. During the course of four semesters, students will encounter other theatre makers such as Dragan Stojčevski, Handa Gote, Cristina Maldonado, Stage Code, Petra Tejnorová, Farm in the Cave etc.


Course leader

MgA. Sodja Zupanc Lotker works as a dramaturg for independent devised theatre, dance, media and site specifi c projects, working often in unusual performance spaces in Czech Republic, USA, Brazil etc., for instance with CIA Dani Lima, Lotte van den Berg, Farm in the Cave, Cristina Maldonado as well as Lhotakova/Soukup dance company.
She was Artistic Director of the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space 2008-2015, and has curated numerous exhibitions and events for the PQ since 1999. She has been teaching and giving lectures at Visual Arts Academy in Brno, Prague Performing Arts Academy, Columbia University, Yale School of drama, KhIO Oslo and Central School of Speech and Drama London, Kiasma Helsinki and a number of festivals and symposia.


For more information about MA in Directing for Devised and Object Theatre visit: www.damu.cz/en/m-a-degree-programs/directing-for-devised-and-object-theatre-1


Online application available here: prihlaska.amu.cz/apps/kos/prihlaska/wpr_webapp_pg.main?p_action=changeLang&p_lang=AN&p_session_id=


Information about other international MA programs at DAMU here: www.damu.cz/en/m-a-degree-programs/overview-1