Aristotle once said that the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.
In order to practice what the philosopher called “experiential learning,” students at the University of Victoria in a course called Performing German Drama decided to perform part of a body of work called Lehrstźecke (“teaching plays”) by German poet and playwright Bertolt Brecht.
“We chose to stage these plays because Brecht’s concept of the Lehrstźeck emphasizes the process of rehearsal and learning through trial and error, collaborative workshop, and critical engagement,” says actor and undergraduate Germanic studies student Taylor Antoniazzi. “These themes are especially relevant to our experimental, student-driven project.”
Antoniazzi says Brecht’s Der Jasager and Der Neinsager were written specifically for performance in schools and were originally performed to an audience of students. These plays could be an informative experience not only for student actors but also for an audience of students. The main purpose of these plays is to improve critical-thinking skills and the active involvement of the audience, and to see theatre as a means to educate rather than entertain, according to Antoniazzi. But the plays have their challenges.
“The language barrier was the most obvious challenge for some of us, but we have found many ways to embrace that challenge and allow it to strengthen the play,” says Rain Mair, a co-director and theatre student. “Coming in to the show from such diverse backgrounds in Germanic studies and theatre was also a strength and allowed us to learn from one another.”
Camosun College students who want to get to know Brecht through the eyes of other students will now have a good opportunity to do so. (Be warned, though: due to a very limited number of tickets being available at the door, it is strongly recommended that tickets are bought in advance. Tickets are available in the Clearihue building at UVic, in the Germanic studies department on the second floor.)
“If they visit our website before they watch the play, they can gain an understanding of Brechtian ideas such as Gestus, or gesture, and the Verfremdungseffekt, or alienation effect,” says Sarah Sabo, an actor and theatre student. “We have tried very hard to vocalize and physicalize the play the way Brecht would have wanted.”
Der Jasager and Der Neinsager
8 pm December 4-5
Merlin’s Sun Home Theatre
$5 minimum donation