TalentLAB theatre workshop goes digital
Round-up of theatre readings, talks and masterclasses
Elisabet Johannesdottir (c.), pictured at the 2018 TheaterLAB, will be hosting one of the talks lined up this year
With the fifth edition of TalentLAB postponed until 2021, Luxembourg City's theatres have decided to take their cultural programme online for a month-long run of masterclasses, conferences and roundtables.
Started in 2016, TalentLAB explores the process of theatre-making – including anything from research and writing to developing a concept and staging a play – to encourage young creatives in the country.
The workshop picks a theme every year and for 2020 TalentLAB will, quite appropriately, focus on reflection.
Organising a variety of live events including talks, masterclasses and conferences, TalentLAB will also show memorable moments from previous editions on their YouTube channel as it celebrates its fifth anniversary.
Here is just a short list of what you can expect from TalentLAB in the coming days.
12 June, 7pm: Conversation with Anne-Cécile Vandalem
After kicking off her career as a playwright in 2003 with ZAÏ ZAÏ ZAÏ ZAÏ, Anne-Cécile Vandalem turned her attention toward themes of habitation, writing a trilogy of plays exploring domestic issues from the perspective of the individual – (Self)Service – the family – Habit(u)ation – and the collective – After the Walls (Utopia).
Moderated by actor and author Elisabet Johannesdottir, these two artists will discuss their careers in theatre, sharing their experiences in collaborating with TalentLAB and reflecting on the strange reality of confinement.
13 June, 7pm: Short Plays by Rafael David Kohn and Charlene James
For this event, TheatreLAB gives you the opportunity to (re)discover the final two rehearsed readings of Rafael David Kohn’s Smile and Charlene James' Marque II presented at the Théâtre du Centaure in 2018.
Following Tom and Lisa as they kindle a relationship over the internet, Smile explores the possibilities and strictures of digital communication, delving into issues of solitude and its effects on mental health.
Marque II, on the other hand, is a play about grief and robots, imaging a world in which technology allows us to reanimate loved ones.
14 June, 7pm: Short Plays by Olivier Garofalo and Chloe Moss
Another reissue of rehearsed readings from their 2018 programme, TalentLAB will be presenting Olivier Garofalo's Z Wie Zombie and Chloe Moss' H.O.L.L.A.N.D (Hope Our Love Lasts And Never Dies).
Garofalo's work explores the challenges facing generation Z, exploring their values in the face of digital and technological totalitarianism, while Moss' H.O.L.L.A.N.D explores intimacy and relationships in the 21st century.
16 June, 10am-1pm: Masterclass with Katie Mitchell Part 3: How to Create a Concept
For the third session of her five-part masterclass, acclaimed director and Professor of Theatre Directing at Royal Holloway University, Katie Mitchell, will give attendees a simple guide to building a watertight concept and discuss how to work on a concept with set designers.
17 June, 5pm: Communication in a Time of Crisis and Beyond
Michael Reinertz is the LuxTimes' culture critic Photo: Guy Wolff
17 June, 5pm: Communication in a Time of Crisis and Beyond
This roundtable between Yasmine Kauffmann (head of communication for Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg), Jérôme Konen (director of the Kinneksbond culture centre in Mamer), Pablo Chimenti (head of communications and public relations for the Theater Federatioun) and Andrea Primm (director of the Theater Federatioun) will take a look at how COVID-19 has changed theatres and their relationship to the public.
Discussing initiatives taken by each of their institutions during the crisis, they will discuss the ripple effects of COVID-19 and what this means for theatres moving forward.
Please note that some events require advance registration. More information on how to take part and where to watch is available in the brochure online.
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