Women Project L'école des femmes


The history of art is a never-ending chain of experimentation. Its evolution has been possible thanks to the ability to critically analyse results and draw the necessary conclusions in terms of teaching and methodology. Theatre is no exception. In spite of this, however there are not so many centres in Europe that promote theatre research workshops.

"The laboratory not only gives the artist the right to makemistakes but even upholds that right as the very model of creative inquiry."

The European Association for Theatre Culture organisesworking situations and invites artists, whose work is closelyintertwined with constant artistic and methodological research.Specific phases of the work process will be open to the public and subject to its comment. In the three centres, participants work on the same materialover a prolonged period, in order subsequently to exchange ideas with colleagues from other countries, to collate results, and analyse these together. This collective view of the "sujet" is possible, despite all the differences between national theatre cultures. Indeed, it represents a
unique chance to develope a special scenic language and to create the model of a
"European Ensemble".

These European Laboratories offer the opportunity to prepare, calmly and thoughtfully, for performances. Laboratory performances or "public rehearsals" as we call them - help artists to consolidate and scrutinise particular phases of their work. For example, at a festival, the invitedaudience might be given an insight into the working process. Teaching, learning, and researching, with a view to finding the right artistic expression and, finally also presenting -all this becomes ONE process.