In her monograph, Kitija Balcare addresses a pressing theoretical and practical issue – environmental conflicts and the role of art in raising awareness of and resolving them – by examining these questions from a posthumanist perspective.
"The era in which we live can be characterized by the word permacrisis or permanent crisis. Within it, attention flags, the muscle of empathy weakens, and the emotional bank is depleted. Researchers describe the ecological crisis as both a crisis of values and a crisis of the imagination. What does ecotheatre offer? A space for imagination – for a collective imaginary through which to create new ecosystems, namely new forms of relationships and cooperation between humans, non-human beings, and the environment, as well as new conditions for coexistence. It offers an opportunity for active hope," says Kitija Balcare.
The book defines the phenomenon of ecotheatre and maps out its ramifications – both in terms of its origins and historical influences, as well as its thematic and theatrical expressions. The first chapter focuses on the theoretical foundations of posthumanism, the role of ecocriticism in cultural studies, and the challenges facing the environmental humanities. The second chapter introduces ecodramaturgy, ecodirection, and ecoscenography, drawing on examples from various countries around the world, and offers a definition of ecotheatre. Third chapter outlines the artistic techniques and means of expression characteristic of ecotheatre. The book is supplemented by a scheme illustrating the branches of ecotheatre and a thematic glossary.
This study is based on dramatic, musical, puppet theatre, and contemporary dance performances created by Latvian theatre artists in the 21st century that adhere to the principles of ecotheatre.
Kitija Balcare, Ph. D., is a researcher at the Institute of Literature, Folklore, and Art at the University of Latvia and a theatre critic. Her research interests lie in the field of environmental humanities, posthumanism studies, and ecocriticism, with a particular focus on exploring the intersection of the performing arts, ecology, and sustainability. In 2025, she successfully defended her doctoral dissertation, titled “Performing Arts in the Discourse of Ecocriticism: Ecotheatre in Latvia in the 21st Century” with distinction at the University of Latvia.
Literary editor: Inta Rozenvalde
Design: Dita Pence
Printed locally at “Jelgava Printing House” and marked with the “Nordic Swan Ecolabel”.
A summary of the book in English has been added to the “Files” section.
