Acting / International Theatre Summer Academy

The Nature of Dialogue. Exploration of a fundamental stage language with Christine Schmalor.

This acting course on dialogue covers the whole range of dialogical nature – its different principles, forms and possibilities. From physical to philosophical dialogue, from pure play to existential questioning – we encounter the other and thus ourselves.
It is the artistic encounter with our cultural potential and invites to revive a seemingly forgotten cultural technique. After all, dialogue was born on stage – but it doesn’t have an easy life there today. For many years we have mainly seen monologues, even when many actors are on the stage together. The monological structure, which is critically addressed on the stage by many as a human and social phenomenon, has gradually become the performing norm itself. Post-dramatic texts promoted the monological existence on stage to such an extent that the culture of dialogue has evaporated.

It is time to rediscover and revive the art of dialogue. In contrast to monological introspection on stage, dialogue is the path to new insight and freedom. It is one of the most beautiful abilities of human beings to exchange spiritually. Even more, we are talking about the flow of energy.

Dialogue is a powerful tool in communication that releases enormous forces; they can hurt, but they can also heal; above all, they can release new dimensions of thought and action. We need dialogue with the Dialogue. The wisdom of the Dialogue can help us to discover a new potential for artistic and personal development. Dialogue requires us to open up – in doing so I also expose myself to risk – but without risk there is no artistic life.