Colloquium: Quantum Pedagogy for Theatre

A Glimpse into the future for innovative theatre artists, teachers and educators

Colloquium with Dr Jurij Alschitz, artistic director of the World Theatre Training Institute AKT-ZENT / research centre of the International Theatre Institute.

While today we can no longer imagine a world without quantum technology – and yet have little idea of how the world of quanta manifests itself in the various areas of life -, Jurij Alschitz applies its principle to theatre in a very practical way. With Quantum Pedagogy he developed a Quantum Training for tomorrow’s Theatre.

“This colloquium shares my findings in this new field. It is my answer to the rapidly changing world using the achievements of the science community to develop the art of acting and artistic creativity in theatre as highest category, which can then make use – if necessary – of all the technical attempts made so many.” (J.A.)

Quantum pedagogy applied means a total change of the individual perception; it implies the dis-function of the logic we have been brought up with, and therefore leads to a complete re-set of the mind. It affects artistic communication and creation. It is not about forming a good performer, but a creator. Quantum pedagogy is built on the relativity of knowledge and belief. Its effectiveness can be recognized only on the basis of subjective experience.

Actors tune in not to follow their teacher/director, but to unfold, rearrange, separate, make decisions instantly – they perceive knowledge about theatre through various points. Knowledge does not stand still. It is constantly moving, evolving, interacting with other ideas, adding, multiplying, changing and even destroying. This is the essence of one of the principles of the quantum technique – we can call it liquid knowledge.