Coming into Presence: An Immersive Ecotheatre Journey

In November 2024, we at Theatre of the 7 Directions will have our first course offered in Germany. Laura Pasetti will bring her international ecotheatre teachings to the Eschwege Institut in Meinhard for five days.

This is a journey of self-enquiry and self-discovery through the ancient art of theatre. The narrative on the stage is the result of a dialogue – a human calls out for the universe and the universe responds. In that response lies the meaning of our presence in the world.

Through creativity and imagination we embody different facets of humanity and expand our consciousness to embrace who we truly are. Participants will be guided to explore a new form of connection with the other-than-human-world (nature), develop an ecocentric perspective and become more present to what is inside and outside themselves.

The ecological crisis is an identity crisis, a consequence of humanity’s separation from all other living beings. This is especially affecting people that are going through a transformative change in their lives, such as teenagers moving towards adulthood and adults moving towards elderhood. Ecotheatre offers the tools to restore our sense of belonging and regain our agency.

Re-discovering the language of our ancestors, we will use the art of expression and the art of invocation to reinforce our purpose, pass a threshold or respond to what life is offering.

In this course we will investigate:

• Somatic movement
• Character embodiment
• Creative writing
• Relationship with the other-than-humans

Eschwege Institut

The Eschwege Institut, a training centre situated in the heart of Germany, is also a forum for prominent experts and the host of an interdisciplinary research group in process mentoring as the logical answer to growing socio-political and ecological challenges. This makes it a place for ongoing personal and professional training and growth in this field. Due to its retreat offering, large gardens and a beautiful scenic location, it is also an oasis where you can remember the really important things in life.

It has three beautiful group rooms, including two round yurts and its own guest accommodation.

The institute’s aim is to practice and train tools that are of importance for coping with the global challenges of change, as well as with the everyday work to mentor individuals and organizations through their change processes.