Hans thies lehmann biography sample

Postdramatic theatre responds to and reflects upon the complexities of the contemporary world, offering a space for exploration, questioning, and dialogue.

Origins and Evolution

Postdramatic theatre, a term first coined by German theatre scholar Hans-Thies Lehmann in his work “Postdramatisches Theater” (1999), refers to a significant shift in the aesthetic and philosophical approach to theatre-making that began to emerge in the late 20th century.

This shift marked a move away from the traditional, text-based drama that prioritised coherent narratives and character development, venturing instead towards a theatrical experience that emphasises visual, auditory, and performative elements over narrative structure.

The origins of postdramatic theatre can be traced back to the avant-garde movements of the early 20th century, including Dadaism, Surrealism, and particularly the work of practitioners like Bertolt Brecht and Antonin Artaud, whose experiments laid the groundwork