In preparation for the location theatre festival Worteldagen, I devised a two-day workshop that introduced students of Utrecht School of the Arts to the practice and methods of site-specific performance. By way of practical assignments, we explored the differences between theatre-making in a black-box and work that starts from a specific site. I tried to motivate them to start making processes from the characteristics, narratives and problems of a specific location. We also discussed the difference between site-specific and site-generic performance and the ethics of being an artist-in-residence. I created the workshop in response to the observation that site-specific research is often dropped in favour of using the site as “decor” or background for theatre that could take place anywhere. One of the goals, therefore, was to give insight into the different approaches an artist can take towards the location and contexts that he or she works in.
Charlotte Poos 