Community and non-professionalism in Pina Bausch’s ‘Kontakthof’

Abstract

This dissertation addresses the topics of dance theatre, community-based projects and professionalism. More precisely, it focuses on the collaboration between theatre and dance professionals with communities or non-professionals. In order to do so, it takes the practice of Wuppertal Tanztheater Pina Bausch and two recent restagings of Bausch’s ‘Kontakthof’ - first with a cast of pensioners and then with one of teenagers - as a focus for the discussion. By comparing these restagings to another community-based project called Ċapċapċaqlaq this dissertation explores the range of possibilities of arts professionals-non-professionals relationship dynamic. Eventually, by taking into consideration the audience’s reception as a crucial element of any performance’s evaluation, it considers the main defining traits of a well-received community-based performance.