Brecht Workshops

David draws on both his academic research and professional practice to offer a variety of workshops to introduce and develop principles of Brechtian stagecraft. Workshops run from half-day tasters to in-depth two-week explorations, with any duration in-between available. You can follow my blueprint or request bespoke content.

Potential topics covered:

Gestus and Haltung

Verfremdung

Making theatre politically

The aesthetic of interruption

Intention, deliberateness and clarity

Lightness in performance

Scene study, the centrality of contradiction and identifying the Fabel

Workshops tend to take the format of my introducing ideas, setting tasks, observing practice and offering views and feedback.

David introducing Brechtian stagecraft

Setting a task

Working on a scene

Participants' clear gestic performance

If required, I'm also happy to include a (public) discussion to reflect on the workshops and/or introduce Brechtian ideas to a wider audience.

Public discussion of Brechtian theatre to conclude a six-day workshop in Bucharest, Romania, 2025

Forthcoming Workshop

Dublin: 25-27 June 2027

Join us for an introduction to Brechtian stagecraft.

There is no fee for the workshop, but places are limited. Please contact Chris Moran (cmmoran93@gmail.com) for more details.

Information for Anyone Seeking to Engage David for Brecht Workshops

Participants: I tend to work with a minimum of eight and a maximum of twenty-four participants. Workshops are open to both students and theatre professionals (usually actors and directors).

For larger groups, I usually work with Georgina, my collaborator on production projects.

Payment: I/we do not charge a fee and only ask for expenses (travel, accommodation and subsistence, if required).

For further information, contact david.barnett@york.ac.uk

Testimonials

From Matthias Schott, Head of the Schott Acting Studio, Berlin (who hosted us in September 2026):

It was an eye-opening and thought-provoking workshop with David Barnett – and what an amazing group, full of passion for theatre and for social and political themes! David, his teaching, and the discussions he led sharpened my lenses. Sharpened me even more to see what's going on in the world, to read the social gestures and contradictions, and to spot how powerful players try so hard to hide those contradictions.

Interestingly, his perspectives also reignited my curiosity about what theatre might still be capable of - how it holds the potential for genuine change, not just as a mirror, but as an engine for reimagining the world.

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