Impressions: European Theatre Forum 2023 & The Future of European Theatre - Part 1

Two weeks ago today I wasn’t sure what I should expect of what has now become a massive springboard for my own theatre-related ambitions. The European Theatre Forum 2023, a beautiful, eye-opening and thought-provoking international theatre conference, organised by both the European Theatre Convention and Creative Europe, the European Union’s Department for Culture and Creativity, has seen an eclectic mix of representatives from numerous European theatres, artistic and creative directors, stakeholders from and in the performing arts industry, researchers, academics, and last but not least emerging artists - and I am very pleased to say that together with my ETC-artists-in-residence-fellows, Manon Ayçoberry, Mira Mańka, Martha Kent and Andrija Rasovic, I represented the latter category throughout this event.

@ Beatrice Benedek

I think it was the first time I truly felt ‘at home’ within the performing arts industry, and several reasons have contributed to the creation of this ‘at home’ feeling:

• Unlike other theatre-related events I previously attended (open days, industry fairs, festivals etc.) where I felt I wasn’t considered ‘one of them’, due to maybe the lack of experience at that certain point in time, not enough contacts, not yet a ‘promising’ talent, or just simply not on their radar as potential creative collaborator, on this occasion I finally felt, or have been given the impression, that we’re all in it together, we’re all here for one cause, we are all equal. I felt I was approached and treated as an equal and this simple recognition felt so fulfilling. Maybe, just maybe on a subconscious collective level we achieved to enact the ‘flat hierarchy’ model that Dragan Šimičević, briefly talked about in his keynote on creative and human leadership.

• My voice as a theatre practitioner was heard, not only by the representatives of the Creative Europe party, but by every participant in that forum, the ‘big’ people leading all these European theatres, from the North to the South, from East to the West - whether or not my and my fellow colleague’s thoughts, opinions, recommendations and concerns will translate in any concrete actions remains to be seen. I for one am hopeful.

• The three major topics discussed during these three days were and are very close to my heart. Not only because they relate so much to the performing arts industry and its long-term trends, but because they relate in general to the issues we are faced with on a daily basis. It felt so good to be able to recognise (finally!) the important role theatre can have in society, what an ally it can be for so many political, social and economic actors in Europe and beyond. I’ve been preaching about these things for years, but to actually have it discussed on such a large scale, with so many important industry actors attending, confirmed my (brewing) thoughts and reflections on it.

The three main objectives, and subsequently hot topic points which we’ve jointly discussed were:

• Democracy, International Collaboration and the Power of Theatre

• Sustainability and Green Transitions and,

• Digital Readiness

Digital Theatre and the future of theatre in this sense has been one of those subject matters that I’ve noticed split the public in two. One party embracing the exciting new digital era has to offer in theatre, some member theatres even dedicating smaller spaces within their institutions to focus solely on creating digital theatre (I do wonder how much of an influence the budgets theatres have at their disposal actively contribute to deciding on such matters.), the other party considered it purely an additional tool, a 'digital tool' so to speak to complement the theatre practice, but certainly not replacing it.

‘Theatre is theatre only if we can play for a live audience. Everything without this crucial element is not theatre’

Along these lines was the feedback that I could gather from the numerous conversations and table talks happening over the course of the three days. Particularly interesting, and significant to the whole topic, I found was Dr. Katie Hawthorne’s input on Digital Theatre based on the research she conducted on behalf of the ETC and the Academy for Theatre and Digitality. Alongside highlighting the three main categories of what is considered to be digital theatre within the European performing arts industry, Katie has also brought to light what I consider to be a very important aspect to take into consideration: it’s not that theatres don’t have the capacity or capability of doing and creating digital theatre, but the willingness to do so is not there, a.k.a. going forward there’s little interest to do so. Where does that leave us then? Coming of the back of a pandemic which saw a massive increase in digital theatre consumption, may that be broadcasts of theatre plays or theatre made for the digital realm, I can see why an apprehension towards this new emerging strand in theatre is occurring. I am very curious to see where this conversation and new practice(s) will lead us.

@ Beatrice Benedek

I was also pleased to see that the ETC is now looking at prototyping the ETC Theatre Green Book based on the already quite successfully established Theatre Green Book circulated and successfully implemented by the performing arts industry worldwide. Paddy Dillon, director of the Theatre Green Book, and Lisa Burger Co-director of Renew Culture, delivered some fantastic keynotes on how our theatre buildings, small-, large-scale and touring productions, and overall attitude towards making the industry greener can be shifted with small, yet very significant steps. It’s not a matter of achieving net zero immediately, but more importantly starting the process with small changes, which can be achieved easily by all departments and members of staff, and thus building towards a more sustainable and greener future in this industry. And so the industry in itself can become a role model, paving the way for other adjacent industries too. The small group discussions brought to light a very important element to consider, and that is the necessity of taking note of already existing best practices within the ETC network (and beyond) and not always ‘start from zero’. What can be adapted in other theatres around Europe? What are the local, regional, national legislations that need to be taken into consideration when adapting such practices? I am excited to see the results of the prototyping venture and I truly hope this initiative will successfully lead to the implementation of the green certification tool for the wider European theatre network. Furthermore, I also hope this tool will be made available to non-conventional creative companies too, sine I am very interested to implement these tools from the get-go of my own theatre!

Last but not least, it came as such a breath of fresh air to discuss tackling mental health challenges within the industry. Credit goes to Dragan Šimičević, Psychologist, Coach, Supervisor & Change Manager, who highlighted the necessity for a change in leadership models, especially within the creative leadership sector. There should be more willingness to introduce a flat hierarchy model in the creative institutions and organisations,, staff members should be encouraged and supported in their personal endeavours too, creating thus an atmosphere of confidence, trust and, dare-I-say, joy to be working in and for a specific company. Soft power in the performing arts industry might just be another key tool for setting a trend that can trickle through and positively impact other industries too, not to mention the benefits the vast group of creative freelancers working all around Europe could (finally) enjoy with such an approach from creative leaders.

There’s so much more to write about the short but very intensive and rich days of this international event. And I am actually going to share more in a second part of this blog in a few days, where I’ll dive deeper into the input some of us emerging artists present at the conference shared with the attendees. Thank you for reading thus far and hope you’ll come back in a few days!

P.S. Whilst you’re waiting, what if you just flick through these amazing pictures from the conference itself: https://www.europeantheatre.eu/gallery/etc-international-theatre-conference-opole-2023

@ ETC / Michal Grocholski & Przemysław Jendroska