Grotowski and Theoretical Training

Jerzy Grotowski (1933–99) occupies an unusual place in an account of theoretical practitioners. His engagement with theatre productions as such only lasted for the first decade of his working life. Between 1957 and 1968 he established an ensemble at the Theatre of Thirteen Rows, later the Laboratory Theatre or Laboratory Institute, in Opole and Wroclaw. After this period he retreated from theatre performances and developed work which he called paratheatrical in that it was linked to the performer’s craft but outside conventional theatre. Because of the limited opportunities to see his theatre work, or to participate in his training courses or post-theatrical work, written material by or about Grotowski has been the primary source of access to his practice. Grotowski himself wrote very little, producing only short articles for theatre magazines, occasional interviews and transcriptions of talks delivered at conferences or on courses. In particular, writing about the ‘paratheatrical’ projects became disproportionately significant, since only a small number of students and practitioners participated and witnesses were limited in number. Written accounts from short-term participants and occasional reflective articles from Grotowski form the only access to this work for the majority of those interested in tracing the development of his thought.