Contemplative Theatre for Life Transition is a method for research and practice that I have designed over the last two decades. Its practices and theories come from the fields of performance studies, applied theatre, voice studies, multicultural healing arts, contemplative pedagogy, yoga, and religion.
CONTEMPLATIVE THEATRE IN COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, JAILS and A HOSPICE
Xavier University of Louisiana, February 2018
Podcast, CAT Food (for thought), Conversation 63: A conversation between Laura Biagi of DePaul University and Ross Louis of Xavier University of Louisiana on contemplative technology and performance. Link here.
Courses at The Theatre School, DePaul University, Chicago (2016-2018)
- BeLonging, a piece I devised with the students of the Intro to Performance course at The Theatre School, De Paul University in the Fall of 2016.
- Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program (Cook County Jail, Chicago, 2017-2018)
In the spring of 2017 I launched the first Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program course at DePaul University’s Theatre School. In this course we work with free-writing, composition, performance, reading, and community building.
I taught different aspects of storytelling. During the last few years of my life I have been asking myself the question: What is the purpose of my work? Why am I here? What and how can I contribute to my communities? I realized the following: 1. Change is inevitable. 2. Awareness of one’s self is absolutely necessary to navigate change and take responsibility for one’s life. 3. Education is a privilege: educators and students have a duty to share what they know with as many people as possible.
Storytelling as a Healing Art emerged from these three points. It is a method I am developing that weaves together my research and teaching interests in contemplative studies, yoga, theatre studies, applied theatre, free-writing, performance studies, and sustainability. It is a way to use various art forms to address social problems. Writing, listening, deep breathing, journaling, water-colors, meditative walks, in-class improvisation, storytelling, music: these are many of the forms we use in storytelling to support workshops’ and classes’ participants to:
- learn something more about themselves, their passions, talents, and blockages
- foster team-work
- learn how to act vs. react
- create positive affirmations
- understand the concept of “response-ability”
- learn the skills of non-violent communication
- become more confident in expressing the wholeness of one’s self through various art forms
- explore a multiplicity of learning pedagogies: experiential learning, intuitive learning, writing composition, movement and vocal improvisation, among others.
Courses in the Italian and Religion Departments, Vassar College, New York (2012-2015)
- Spider Healing
- In Light Of, a student play devised in collaboration with the Hudson Valley Hospice.
Related Links
The Theatre School Holds Forum on Race and Race Relations (The Theatre School, DePaul University, Chicago, October 7, 2016)
Professors Impart Destress Techniques (Vassar College, New York, December 8, 2011)
Biagi Brings Yoga Sensibility to Italian (Vassar College, New York, November 3, 2011)
MY TRAINING IN RAJA YOGA AT ANANDA ASHRAM, INDIA (2009-2012)
laurabiagi.com 