On December 6, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at matralab, a short demonstration will be given on some of the laboratory work which the research-creation component of the “Hypertext and Performance: A Resonance Response to Joanna Baillie’s Witchcraft” project has been up to.

Under the direction of Cristina Iovita (PhD Humanities, Concordia) and the tutelage of Ursula Denzer-Neuerberg (faculty, Theatre), a group of Concordia actors have explored some of the gestural codes of performance in the Romantic period, as a vehicle for producing Baillie’s Witchcraft. The objective isn’t to stage a museum piece but rather to understand some of the theatrical assumptions behind Baillie’s work.

The dramaturgical and scholarly research was spearheaded by Joanna Donehower (PhD Humanities, Concordia) with contributions from Anna Sigg (PhD, McGill) and Concordia English undergraduates Nina Drystek and Alessandra Ferreri.

Last year, the project explored the Scottish dialogue in this prose tragedy and focused on creating resonant responses to Baillie’s work. This Fall’s work will focus on the actor, on historic acting conventions and our embodied understanding of Ballie’s play through work with contemporary actors.

The presentation starts at 11 a.m. at matralab. Please confirm your presence and, if you come, please arrive on time.

Further information on the next steps of the Baillie project will be provided, including production details for the final year of our three-year initiative.

Louis Patrick Leroux is an artist-in-residence at matralab.