Smashing Times at the Theatre Academy in Sweden
From August 27th to August 29th, Smashing Times participated in the Theatre Academy in Sweden as part of the Theatre in Palm project. Our actress Fiona Bawn and staff member Carmen Ortiz represented us at this enriching experience, engaging in a series of workshops, seminars, and performances alongside international theatre artists.
The first day Carmen Ortiz attended the Cueing the Motive workshop at 9.30 am. The day began with introductions in a circle, where each participant shared their theatre background through words and gestures. The workshop focused on spatial awareness and interaction, as participants explored the surfaces of the room—floors, tables, chairs—through movement, either rejecting or attacking them before incorporating these gestures into group interactions. A text-based exercise followed, featuring scenes from The Seagull, where pairs experimented with performing text with different emotional approaches, such as delivering lines as if discussing their favorite film while their partner reacted with disapproval. This exercise emphasized the importance of intention over words.
That same morning Fiona Bawn attended the From a Scratch to a Piece workshop at 9 am. The morning started with movement exercises, gradually increasing connection through eye contact. Facilitator Minna introduced the artistic process as a balance between control and chaos, encouraging participants to create a ‘scratch’ piece—an object, movement, or sentence—without expectations or analysis. Fiona brought a dragonfly necklace as her inspiration. Participants developed solo pieces before integrating them into group performances. Feedback from peers refined each creation, and by the end, audiences were invited into the space, making the final showcase immersive and interactive. The organic process resulted in a powerful, spontaneous performance that exceeded expectations.
The following day, Fiona and Carmen participated in the Theatre Criticism Seminar at 1.30 pm. The seminar opened with introductions and an overview of theatre criticism led by Adrianna, who outlined key principles. Participants examined a real-life case of controversial criticism at Greece’s National Theatre and discussed criticism models in their own countries. Later, four theatre pieces were analyzed and reviewed by participants, followed by a discussion on the role of professional theatre critics in the performing arts.
A panel discussion featured theatre professionals from Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and Sweden. The debate addressed the lack of recognition for theatre criticism and the need for professional critics to provide insightful, knowledgeable reviews rather than uninformed public opinions.
The night concluded with an experimental active meditation performance by the Theatre Academy. Originally planned for five actors, only two were present, yet they delivered a captivating experience using lights and sound to create a relaxing and immersive atmosphere for the audience.
Smashing Times is thrilled to have been part of this invaluable exchange of artistic ideas and practices. The Theatre Academy in Sweden provided a platform for collaboration, experimentation, and international networking, reinforcing our commitment to innovative and inclusive theatre-making.
