SPATIAL DRAMATURGY

- THE COLLECTIVE

Directed by Carlos García Estévez and Paige Allerton

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Spatial Dramaturgy - the collective will combine fundamental research and a living pedagogic language to explore individual training and collective composition for live arts in the here and now.

We will be using The Elastics, also known as The EcoStructure (an ecosystem of structures) — a tool and scenographic element we have been developing since 2010. This is the tool that gave birth to what we would later call Spatial Dramaturgy.

We intend to revolutionise theatre-making by advancing methods of visual composition and movement in order to be on par with contemporary visual communications such as film, social media, and even basic software visualisations (for example the formatting of iPhones, iPads, computers etc.) all the while being low-tech, hand-made and live.

- PAIGE ALLERTON, CO-DIRECTOR OF MANIFESTO POETICO

"...powerful combination of abstraction and concreteness: on the one hand, there is the analysis of the abstract (spatial and temporal) qualities of theatre, and on the other, the ongoing attention for the concrete physical particularities of the arts of acting and storytelling."

- Wout van Tongeren - dramaturg & editor, Dutch National Opera & Ballet

(department of education, participation & programming)

The History of Spatial Dramaturgy

Founder and Artistic Director of Manifesto Poetico, Carlos García Estévez, initiated his research in 1998 when theatre pedagogue Jacques Lecoq provoked him to explore the tragic depth in Commedia dell’Arte and mask performance. During his time with Lecoq, Carlos encountered the work of Italian Nobel Prize winner, Dario Fo, who he later worked with. He also met mask sculptor Donato Sartori. In 2003 Carlos became Sartori´s pedagogical assistant and collaborator for 12 years. By the hand of Sartori he began to explore the architecture of gestures and the anthropology of the mask. With the Lecoq-Fo-Sartori influence and his own subsequent performance work and research Carlos became specialized in the dramaturgy and acting technique of Contemporary Commedia dell´Arte.

In 2011 Carlos started a consolidation of his own signature theatre expanding his research of masks to a greater concept of the mask on the space, not only the body.

With this process of abstraction Carlos developed tools and concepts such as an inner system of forces, Tensegrity applied to artistic creation, a cinematographic theatrical language, a pattern language and more, leading him to expand his work into a wider variety of theatrical territories and styles.

This is what built the Spatial Dramaturgy of Manifesto Poetico today.

"Carlos’ research has led him to new, innovative ways of looking at, constructing and directing theatre.

He makes theatre that is three dimensional, bringing depth, perspective and the geometry of daily life to theatre.

This creates what could be called a kind of spatial dramaturgy - not with set design, but with the moulding and manipulation of empty space.

Inspiring, generous and mischievous!"

- Michael Levine, Scenographer

We welcome all genres of artists (actors, dancers, voice artists, film makers, directors, dramaturges, puppeteers, painters, sculptors, architects, designers, musicians etc.). Manifesto Poetico’s Open Laboratories are designed for advanced students and professional artists. Beginners are welcome to apply but may be asked for an interview.