In Dialogue with Society: On Narratives and Democratic Engagement through Theatre
By Jörgen Dahlqvist
This doctoral project explores how different modes of representation in theatre can address the challenges to democracy through theatre performances. The learning outcomes in this thesis are built on four different performances, Skapa Demokrati, Öva Demokrati, Monument and Ibsendekonstruktion II: Brand. Through a combination of artistic narrative and performative analysis, the conceptualization, dramaturgy, staging and meaning making are also presented. An existential, sociological, and cognitive understanding of narrative – where the blending of factual and fictional materials, the narration of a manifold of voices and audience participation have been in focus –has contributed to the ambition to engage with society through theatre. In addition, dialogical models used in the performances, such as conversation, perspective-taking, and invitation for self-reflection, are presented and discussed.
Bio:
Jörgen Dahlqvist is a playwright and director. He has worked at Malmö Theatre Academy since 2008 in different positions. He is since 2021 a PhD fellow in Artistic research at Malmö Theatre Academy. He has been the artistic director of the performing arts collective Teatr Weimar since 2003, and has also worked at many theatre institutions in Sweden. He has written and directed more than fifty performances, many of which have also been performed internationally.