CAL Known and Unknown: Theatre for Embodied Critical Consciousness

In 2024-25 Centre for Arts and Learning is collaborating in an Official Development Assistance project to research: ‘Theatre for Climate Justice Education in Bangladesh’, in partnership with TheatrEX and their Director Dr. Sudip Chakroborthy. This project is keeping the forests alive and making waves of protest and awareness. TheatrEX is doing visionary work to create drama education opportunities in higher education and for disadvantaged communities in Bangladesh. Dr Miranda Matthews and Dr Aminul Hoque MBE OBE have collaborated with Sudip to co-create practice research workshops that explore issues of climate change and help to raise critical consciousness of how to deal with very urgent issues such as rising sea levels, population displacement, pollution and loss of biodiversity. Dr Sudip Chakroborthy will be in-person at this event, with TheatrEX colleagues Ummey Hanee and Ahammed Raufur Rahim. This visit is funded by Goldsmiths and British Council Bangladesh.

Dr Amanda Kipling will share a small part of her doctoral research about the nature of embodied learning, drawing upon theories Merleau-Ponty. A former student recalling her days in the Drama classroom claimed that 'Drama helped me escape my reality and face it at the same time'- this providing a rich contextual stimulus for the research. Kiara's account of a specific learning moment focussing on The Gaze is presented and followed by an analysis which delves into the learning taking place when we observe each other through the double dynamic of being in role - as self and other.

Sudip is a researcher, director and theatre designer in Bangladesh. Sudip is a regular speaker at international conferences and seminars. He has published in journals in Bangladesh and the UK. He has co-authored a book named Traditional Games of Bangladesh published by UNESCO.​ Sudip’s theatre direction, designs and lectures have been performed on the international stages of Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, South Korea, Iran, France, England, Scotland, Wales, US and Canada.​ Sudip's reputation as a director is well recognised with credits such as SwarnaBoal (Dhaka, 2023), LASCARi (Glasgow, 2016), Brick Lane '78 (Birmingham, 2018), Dokkhina Sundari (Dhaka, 2014), Chaka (Dhaka University, 2013), Macbeth (Dhaka, 2013), JyotiSanghita (Habiganj, 2012), Lal Jomin (Dhaka, 2011), Mohajoner Nao (Dhaka, 2010), and Phona (Barisal, 2009). Sudip has a PhD degree from Goldsmiths, University of London, and was a Commonwealth Scholar. Since 2008, he has taught in the Theatre and Performance Studies Department at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

TheatrEX Bangladesh is a non-profit platform for young theatre artists as well as academics to research and perform on and off stage. TheatrEX aims to make beautiful, inspirational and thought-provoking theatre. It brings together people of all backgrounds to produce outstanding theatre that entertains, challenges and informs audiences and participants. TheatrEX wishes to share their practice and learn from communities around the world. Members of this organisation have graduated from the Theatre and Performance Studies Department in the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. TheatrEX first began in 2013 and has had successful partnerships with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, British Council, National Theatre of Scotland, The Charles Wallace Bangladesh Trust, AKADEMY UK, Queen Mary, University of London and Goldsmiths, University of London. Its ventures are supported by Dhaka University, Bangla Academy, National Academy of Fine and Performing Arts Bangladesh, Janata Bank, UK Bangladeshi diaspora theatre organisations, CONTACT Manchester, CHICKENSHED London, Bangladesh Association Glasgow, Prio Bangla USA and Aneek Theatre, India.

Having studied at The Central School of Speech and Drama, Amanda pursued her drama teaching career in south-east London for 16 years. Developing a deep interest in the healing transformations which she observed taking place in the classroom, this became a focus for her Masters Degree at University of Greenwich completed in1996. After short period of consultancy work, Amanda started working in her current post at Goldsmiths as leader of the PGCE Drama programme in 2009. Subsequently she had taken up additional roles as Senior Tutor and Disability Officer. Amanda started her doctoral studies in 2016 at the University of Chester. Her thesis- In Two Minds: What happens when we think in Role? explores the double identity experienced in mind and body when learning in role. Amanda passed her PhD viva in November 2024.

Host or Publisher Centre for Arts and Learning, Goldsmiths University of London