The need for such a project arises from the awareness that teaching arts is the most important of all arts. Pedagogy is the “mother-art”, upon which the transmission of knowledge, generational renewal and the germination of long term theatrical languages germination depends.

Despite this, while for the evaluation of an actor, of a playwright or of a theatre director a selection, based on training and professional curricula, is necessary, the same evaluation cannot be necessary to estimate those who teach this “art”. The pedagogical function is often secondary to others, although teaching requires a particular talent, different abilities and a specific time for its development. Maybe it is because of this complexity and its intrinsic non-economic nature that the birth of theatre pedagogy (at least in Italy) has been unsystematic and determined only by heavy investment of some individuals.

But a good teacher can influence the theatrical system as none of the other three roles can. The experience of a master-student interaction can create actors, directors, playwrights, as well as performances, theatres, artistic movements… So, when we speak of theatre pedagogy, we uncover a paradox: the key role in theatre system is the most undervalued. The Italian theatrical system, for instance, put more energy in short term initiatives to promote generational renewal than in a gradual enrichment that can give sense to the art of teaching theatre.

For these and for many other reasons, we conceive this project that tends to give space to a long term strategy of positive results. This is an investment of very high quality on a group of young teachers. The course, structured in three seven-week modules repeated over three years, will see the continuous presence of Anatolij Vasiliev, accompanied by other teachers of complementary disciplines. A path through theatre pedagogy conceived to obtain the maximum cultural, technical and human enrichment.

Scientific coordinator of this project will be Maurizio Schmidt (Paolo Grassi School of Dramatic Art) with the collaboration of Cristina Palumbo (Fondazione di Venezia).

The methodology, typical of the way in which the great Russian theatre director teaches, will be active and collective. Everyparticipant will be at first a student and then a teacher, experimenting with his mind and body all the methods of the theatre pedagogy. The residential nature of the project will ensure a maximum concentration; the scheduling will allow the necessary maturation of a realistic training process. The proposal will be centred on a profound personal meeting with this great pedagogue to “achieve something really necessary for the theatre.”

I have dedicated most of my life—I could even say my entire life—to pedagogy and teaching of theatre. But now, when I see how this training is organized over Europe, I am beginning to really doubt whether it is necessary. I have always worked in Russia and for twenty years in Europe, and with each passing year I realize how increasingly difficult working in this sphere of human activity has become. Governments need to extend “mass consciousness” which is very important for the maintenance of their power. They would never spend money on the training or development of the individual. Maybe somewhere, in some very small island, can we hope to slowly achieve something really necessary for the theatre, to develop and to shape theatre awareness.

Anatolij Vasiliev, Venice, November 2007

L’ISOLA DELLA PEDAGOGIA

progetto internazionale di formazione per formatori teatrali

coordinamento scientifico di Maurizio Schmidt

con la collaborazione di Cristina Palumbo

International Course of Pedagogy of the theatre

directed by Anatolij Vasiliev

CRITERIA OF PARTICIPATION

The project is open to theatre teachers, directors and actors of national and international origin with a specific pedagogical vocation. There are no a priori reasons for exclusion, but proven theatrical experience is required.

Applicants from Academies or Schools of Theatre will be given preferential consideration for some of the available places

DURATION

The duration of the project is triennial; the work time is divided into three 7-week modules every year.

The first module will take place full-time from December 6th 2010 to January 30th 2011 (8 hours a day, 6 days a week), with a brief suspension for Christmas . The second and third modules are scheduled provisionally to be held in August-September 2011 and August-September 2012.

The three periods of work, while constituting complete experiences in themselves, are considered to constitute a general progression. Between one module and the next, selection of the participants can be proceeded to and examination for available places can be reopened.

SELECTION

The selection will take place in Venice from the 10th to the 14th of November 2010 during a Seminar. For this seminar all the participants will have to chose a monologue at their own choice of a maximum length of five minutes, that they will have to know by heart; all the other type of examination will be communicated during the seminar.

The required documentation consists of a covering letter and a professional curriculum; a pre-selection will be made on the basis of this documentation.

Applications for admission must be addressed registered mail to the Paolo Grassi School of Dramatic Art no later than October 29th 2010. 20 active participants and 10 observers will be selected. It is necessary to indicate clearly whether the application is for participation as an active student or observer.

COST

Cost of active participation is € 1,300.00 a year while the cost for observers is € 800.00. The Selection Seminar is free.

Board and lodging in Venice are at the participants' expense, although some discounted facilities will be arranged.

LANGUAGES

Official languages will be Russian, Italian and English.

Call for Applications on:

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Scuola d’arte drammatica Paolo Grassi – Fondazione Scuole Civiche di Milano

Via Salasco, 4 - 20136 Milano

Fondazione di Venezia

Rio Novo, Dorsoduro 3488/u - 30123 Venice