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Innovation and Tradition: Kantor, Grotowski, and the Sicilian School in the Theatre of Emma Dante

Spedalieri, Francesca

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Theatre.
Sicilian theatre actress, director, and playwright Emma Dante is one of the most intriguing figures of the contemporary Italian theatre scene. This thesis will explore how the theatre of Emma Dante finds its roots in both the European avant-garde of the late twentieth century and in the theatrical tradition of the Sicilian School. I will use Dante’s first trilogy, La trilogia della famiglia siciliana, as a case study, paying particular attention to the last work of the trilogy, Vita mia. Throughout the thesis, I will take a historiographical approach to research, using a variety of primary and secondary sources, including personal interviews and DVD recordings of performances of Dante’s company: Compagnia Sud Costa Occidentale. The introduction to the thesis will provide a short biography of the Sicilian director, a brief overview of her theatrical works, and a detailed description of La trilogia della famiglia siciliana. The first chapter will specifically look at the connections between the theatre of research pursued by Emma Dante, Tadeusz Kantor, and Jerzy Grotowski. Exploring differences and similarities among the theatrical practices of those three directors, the chapter will address questions related to theatre of research, total theatre, theatre laboratories, and actor training, ultimately connecting Dante’s work with the European avant-garde of the late twentieth century. The second chapter will frame Dante’s work in the context of the Sicilian Theatrical School, paying particular attention to the works of Verga and Pirandello. By rapidly exploring the socio-economic repercussions of historical events connected to the Questione Meridionale and the Questione della Lingua on the Sicilian people and, consequently on Sicilian artists, the chapter will present thematic threads connecting the works of Dante with those of the theatre of the Sicilian School. I will conclude that, with her exciting theatre of research, Emma Dante is able to balance a drive for innovation inspired by the European avant-garde for the past four decades while continuing to honor the tradition of the Sicilian theatrical school to which she belongs.
Lesley Ferris, PhD (Advisor)
Nena Couch (Committee Member)
108 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Spedalieri, F. (2011). Innovation and Tradition: Kantor, Grotowski, and the Sicilian School in the Theatre of Emma Dante [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1310143871

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Spedalieri, Francesca. Innovation and Tradition: Kantor, Grotowski, and the Sicilian School in the Theatre of Emma Dante. 2011. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1310143871.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Spedalieri, Francesca. "Innovation and Tradition: Kantor, Grotowski, and the Sicilian School in the Theatre of Emma Dante." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1310143871

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)