The origins of seminar

Theatre Laboratory as new production system

Abstract

In the early 1960s, in the Scandinavian area, the institutional academies of dramatic art adopted obsolete pedagogical methods. In 1966, Odin Teatret moved from Oslo to the small Danish town of Holstebro and introduced the term "theatre-laboratory". Supported by the city council and by the interest in theatrical pedagogy of Christian Ludvigsen and other Danish scholars, Eugenio Barba and his actors create a production system never experienced before, which combines the pedagogical aspect with the creation of performances. The essay examines the birth, intensification and developments of the practice of the seminar in the theatre, wanting to emphasize its importance on the pedagogical, artistic and productive levels. In addition to some conversations with Eugenio Barba and a rich reference bibliography, the research was also carried out through the consultation of unpublished archive material present in the OTA (Odin Teatret Archives).