At Theatre Studies research and education are closely intertwined. Theatre, in the strictest sense, is a passing event that takes place in the here and now among people. This is the reason why research into theatre requires a current and historical perspective. Theatre Studies research finds itself on the boundary of history (theatre as immaterial heritage) and topicality. Areas of interest include theatre and performance linked to the processes of globalisation in the fields of esthetics; the politics of images; digitalisation; new dramaturgical strategies and conflict studies; the history of the theatre as an audiovisual medium in relation to the history of science; the history of technology with regard to the 19th century culture of spectacle and ‘Acoustic Theatres’; theatre and education; public and reception; the topicality and history of theatre in the Netherlands.

Research subjects

• The challenges posed by contemporary globalisation processes to theatre as a medium for community building, with regard to new dramaturgical strategies (Boland, Van Heugten), esthetics and the politics of images (Röttger, Jackob, Kersenboom), digital media (Lint, Goeyens), and performance in conflict zones (Bala).

• The historicisation of the culture of spectacle with regard to the workings and mobility of visual technologies during the 19th century (Van Oostveldt, Röttger).

• Audiovisual medialities of theatre from a history of science, technological (acoustic theatres, Tkaczyk) and media-historical perspective (the theatre as visual medium, Röttger).

• The history and topicality of Dutch theatre (Van der Zalm).

• Public and reception (Eversmann).

• Theatre and education (Dieleman).