On March 27–28, 2026, lectures and masterclasses were held at the cinema hall and library of the Temirbek Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts by Bishnupriya Dutt, President of the International Federation for Theatre Research and Professor at the School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Masterclass topics:
- “Defiant Acts of Historical Rememorations and Sites of Colonial De-entanglements; New Impulses in Theatre and Performances in India and the UK”
- “Artivism: Indian Women Performers and the Construction of Identity”
The event was attended by faculty members, as well as MA and PhD students. The lectures were delivered at a high academic level and followed by engaging discussions with active participation from the audience.
The discussions focused on key issues such as decolonial processes in contemporary theatre, historical memory, gender performativity, and the relationship between art and activism (artivism). The second topic, addressing the role of women performers in shaping identity and social narratives, generated particular interest.
In her lecture, Professor Bishnupriya Dutt explored the concept of artivism as a convergence of artistic practice and political activism, emphasizing its significance in postcolonial contexts. Drawing on examples from Indian feminist performance practices, she highlighted theatre’s role in promoting social justice, gender equality, and democratic values.
Professor Dutt also announced plans to organize, for the first time in Central Asia, a major international conference of the International Federation for Theatre Research in collaboration with the Academy and cultural institutions under the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, with an expected participation of 700–1000 scholars worldwide.
Additionally, it was proposed to launch an international Summer School program at the Academy for young researchers, MA and PhD students from Central Asia and other countries under the auspices of International Federation for Theatre Research.
These initiatives mark an important step in strengthening international academic collaboration and expanding opportunities in theatre and performance studies.
