Science on stage: international conference brings together theater, culture, and different scientific fields in Coimbra
The international conference 'Theater about Science', Organized by the Coimbra theater company Marionet and several departments of the University of Coimbra, will take place from 23 to 25 October.
Coimbra will host the 3rd edition of the international conference Theater about Science. Organized by the Coimbra theater company Marionet and several departments of the University of Coimbra (UC), it will bring together professionals from the fields of art and science to discuss the moments and reasons that foster the encounter between these two fields, broadening knowledge about the dialogues between theater and science. Now in its third edition, the event once again inspires the encounter between different worlds, fostering enriching debates and revealing new motivations and perspectives. Over three days, around 160 participants from 12 countries will have the opportunity to share and learn about projects that promote the connection between theater and science, with the aim of deepening knowledge about the use of artistic language as a way of reflecting, communicating, and establishing new connections between science and society.
“The dynamism that this interdisciplinary area continues to demonstrate is surprising, and this is reflected in the scientific program of the conference, with dozens of presentations and performances that outline the current international panorama of the intersections between theater and science,” highlights Marionet's artistic director, Mário Montenegro.
The program will feature lectures by internationally renowned speakers such as Alexandra Mermikides (King's College London), Arthur I. Miller (University College London), Elisabeth Bouchaud (La Reine Blanche Paris), and Marcus du Sautoy (University of Oxford). There will also be presentations of works by theater and science professionals, workshops, and performances. The conference also presents a cultural program, open to the community, which consists of the screening of the film “A Picture of Health” by the Theatre of Debate on October 22 at 9 p.m. at Casa das Caldeiras, the play “O Virtuoso” by Marionet at the Convento de São Francisco on October 23 at 9 p.m., the play “Synchronicity” by Arthur I. Miller at the Paulo Quintela Theater on October 24 at 5:30 p.m., the play “The Axiom of Choice” by Marcus du Sautoy at the Gil Vicente Academic Theater on October 24 at 9 p.m., the play “Christiane” by Belén Pasqualini at the Paulo Quintela Theater, on October 25 at 6 p.m., and the performance-installation “Goethe's Dark Room” by Eunice Gonçalves Duarte, open every day of the colloquium at 6 p.m. in Room B of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Coimbra.
“Since the first edition, we have been expanding the artistic component of the conference open to the community, with public presentations of various shows in different locations around the city. This parallel artistic program, due to its quality and intensity, is already a true scientific theater festival, which takes place in close connection with the colloquium,” Mário Montenegro emphasizes.
At the University of Coimbra, the connection between theater and science has been explored for over 20 years through collaborations between Marionet and the UC Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC-UC), the UC Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CEIS20), and the Gil Vicente Academic Theater (TAGV). As a result of these synergies, several plays have been produced, projects combining theater and science have been developed, and advanced training courses have been promoted, among other initiatives.
This international colloquium is organized by Marionet in partnership with CNC-UC, GeneT, TAGV, CEIS20, the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences of UC (FPCEUC), and the UC Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (iiiUC). It has the financial support of FPCEUC, Coimbra City Council, the António de Almeida Foundation, and the Directorate-General for the Arts. It also has the logistical support of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Coimbra, the Rómulo Science Center of UC, the Department of Chemistry of UC, the Student HUB, and the Casa das Artes Bissaya Barreto.
The complete program of the event is available at https://theatreaboutscience.com/.