THEATRE PERFORMANCE IN CONTESTED SPACES
DRAMATIC METHODOLOGIES FOR SPATIAL TREANSFORMATION
ΚΟΔ07 (Social Activities Centre), room 010 (Evi Sofianou), University of Cyprus, L. Panepistimiou, Aglantzia, Monday 27th April 2026
This event will be hosted by the University of Cyprus, with The Open University (UK), and will be facilitated by Irish theatre maker and academic, Dónall Mac Cathmhaoill.
The focus will be on knowledge exchange, where experiences of creating community and applied theatre projects, and arts for social change, will be explored. The workshop will have two distinct sessions, each about two hours in length, with a break in between. We are seeking a range of participants with different backgrounds and approaches: theatre makers, academics, community activists, and researchers. You can attend all of the sessions, or attend only one, according to interest.
Session One will be a facilitated Open Space discussion of the role that theatre, performance, and arts for social change play on the island of Cyprus. Session Two will be a sharing of techniques, practices or processes participants have used in community work and applied theatre to devise and create dramatic performances, or to transform public spaces. Participants are not expected to give any kind of presentation and to undertake only minimal preparation.
If you would like to come along and take part, please email:
Dónal Mac Cathmhaoill has worked as a writer, director, designer, and producer in theatre for almost thirty years, including collaborations with many of the leading northern Irish companies. He was a director at the main independent producer, Tinderbox Theatre Company, and served on the boards of both Aisling Ghéar and Sole Purpose theatre companies. Previously he was a producer and Head of Education at Soho Theatre in London. His research has focused on community theatre in post-conflict settings, the topic of his most recent book: Theatre and Politics in Post-Conflict Northern Ireland.
