Turkish theatre, deeply rooted in a rich tradition of oral storytelling, has historically influenced various modern theatrical forms such as epic theatre, folk theatre, political theatre, and theatre of the oppressed. This tradition was intricately linked with the cultural and societal narratives of the region. The establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 marked a crucial turning point. The new government, influenced by Western modernism, prioritized psychological realism over traditional forms, leading to the marginalization of these practices. As a result, traditional theatrical methods were increasingly viewed as outdated compared to Western artistic standards, causing mainstream Turkish theatre to struggle in maintaining relevance and connection with wider audiences. This presentation explores the historical evolution of Turkish theatre and examines the impact of Westernization on its identity. It analyzes how the dominance of Western theatrical styles led to a disconnection from traditional practices and affected the cultural significance of Turkish theatre. To address this, the study highlights the role of student-led amateur theatres that emerged in response to these changes. Influenced by their education in French and American institutions, these groups aimed to rejuvenate and reconnect with the traditional roots of Turkish theatre. The presentation provides an in-depth analysis of case studies, including the theatre company TitatroKare, which has been instrumental in attempts to forge a new theatrical identity by integrating traditional folk elements with contemporary practices. It examines the methodological approaches adopted by these companies to understand the successes and limitations of their efforts in establishing a national folk theatre.

Authors:
Nedi̇m Saban, Independent Scholar, Turkey

About the Presenter(s)
Nedim Saban was born at 1967 in Istanbul. He founded Tiyatrokare at 1992 and is currently the artistic director of the company. He has wrtten his first play at the age of 15 and won the Unicef Award. Since then, he has directed numerous plays.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Friday Schedule

Bookmark