Grotowski and North American theatre: Translation, transmission, dissemination

Jerzy Grotowski (1931-1999) was a leading Western theatrical innovator of the 20th century. His work progressed through distinct phases, which he and others characterized as Theatre of Productions (1957-1969), Paratheatre (1969-1978), Theatre of Sources (1976-1982), Objective Drama (1983-1986), and Art as vehicle (1986-1999). In all phases, Grotowski challenged both conventional and avant-garde assumptions of what theatre is, what its functions are, and how it relates to individuals and society. He was therefore deeply invested in questions of how and to whom his work (both training and performance practices) could be passed on.;Defining and utilizing the key terms of translation, transmission, and dissemination, the study analyzes the processes by which Grotowski's theatre work was received, made use of, and passed on by North American theatre artists over the course of his career, and the impact of North American theatre and culture on Grotowski's work. The place of each of these processes is examined without valorizing one over another (for instance, transmission over dissemination). Rather, the point is argued throughout that even products of "mis-translation" and diffuse dissemination are culturally inflected, and at times salient.;North American theatre artists discussed include both the well-known (Richard Schechner and The Performance Group, Andre Gregory and The Manhattan Project, Joseph Chaikin and the Open Theatre, Thomas Richards) and those lesser-known or not immediately associated with the work of Grotowski (The Iowa Theatre Lab, PS 122, Mabou Mines, North American Cultural Laboratory, New World Performance Laboratory, Nicolas Nunez, and Ryszard Nieoczym). The interactions between Grotowski and North American theatre artists are placed in their specific historical and cultural contexts---including social, economic, and political factors---and related developments in theatre and related fields in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.;The study is presented in three chronological sections: Theatre of Productions, Paratheatre and Theatre of Sources, and Objective Drama and Beyond. The dissertation concludes with an Epilogue examining Grotowski's legacy in light of current North American theatre practice.