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History of Physical Theatre

Name: History of Physical Theatre
Start: 14.10.2026
End: 2026-10-14
Location: Halle am Lausitzer Platz

14.10.2026

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Presenter(s)

Felix Baumann

SENECA INTENSIV Studios

Georg Knorr Straße 4 | Houe 10

12681 Berlin

Entrance on the back of the building

In this seminar, Felix Baumann (Master of Arts in Theatre - with a specialization in Physical Theatre – Accademia Teatro Dimitri) will give an introduction to the history and evolution of Physical Theatre—a genre that places the body and its movement at the center of expression.

Participants will trace the development of this art form from its ancient ritualistic origins, to the vibrant Commedia dell’Arte of Renaissance Italy, the approaches of the french mime tradition of Étienne Decroux and Jacques Lecoq, over modernist and avant garde theatre like Antonin Artaud (Theatre of Cruelty), Vsevolod Meyerhold (Biomechanics), and Jerzy Grotowski (Poor Theatre) to contemporary hybrid forms.

The seminar also examines how nowadays Physical Theatre integrates elements of other genres such as dance, circus, music and visual arts, creating performances that transcend linguistic boundaries and engage audiences in immersive experiences.

Contemporary companies such as DV8 Physical Theatre and Complicité exemplify how the genre continues to address complex themes and issues through innovative, physically expressive work.

Through theoretical discussion and practical examples, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the historic traces that shaped Physical Theatre into the dynamic, interdisciplinary art form that continues to challenge conventional modes of theatre making.

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History of Physical Theatre

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