Applied Theatre research unpacked - Isabelle Gatt at the Royal Conservatoire

Photo Captions
• Isabelle Gatt delivering the opening presentation of the programme – photo by Bob Selderslaghs
• Students in action during the applied theatre workshop – photo by Isabelle Gatt

Prof. Isabelle Gatt, from the Department of Arts, Open Communities, and Adult Education, was invited to lead a series of lectures on applied theatre at the Royal Conservatoire, Antwerp as part of Articulate 2025. The programme began with her two-hour presentation open to lecturers, students, and the general public, highlighting both the research elements and practical processes involved in community theatre projects. Prof. Gatt demonstrated how research questions can be identified, framed, and explored through collaborative practice, showing how projects evolve from initial ideas to performance while taking creative risks along the way.

Following this, Prof. Gatt led two practice-based lectures: one with Drama Education students and another with Performing Arts students. Participants engaged in exercises that combined applied theatre research with practice, experimenting with collaboration, creativity, and the kinds of creative risks that drive learning and innovation in devised and community-based theatre.

After each session, the Q&A and discussion revealed participants’ curiosity and engagement, with important questions asked about working with vulnerable communities, taking creative risks, and connecting theory with practice. This initiative was made possible with support from the Erasmus programme.