Paper short abstract:

The paper addresses migrant theatre productions and discusses theatres as places where intangible heritage is negotiated and transmitted in multiple ways. The paper explores the role identification with theatres as places plays in these processes.

Paper long abstract:

Non-professional migrant theatre productions are often viewed using the insights of interculturalism, cultural exchange or integration and are usually not included in discussions on intangible heritage. However, in their productions migrants not only recreate traditions and knowledge of their home countries but they also actively engage with Swiss Society. Just the fact that these performances are taking place on public stages will change their performance. Stages to rent as well as private theatres and the city theatre therefore turn to places where identities and traditions are negotiated and where (imagined) places are constituted.

When looking at theatrical productions of young people with migrant backgrounds, usually organized and directed by theatre pedagogues, arts education is a further aspect to be looked at: As schools are devoting less and less time to attending and making theatrical performances, there is a growing fear that the ability to watch and understand theatre as an aesthetic genre will be lost. Theatre itself is becoming an endangered tradition. Theatre projects addressing young migrants therefore always include visits to theatre in addition to the own acting experiences.

Drawing on my fieldwork in Basel, Switzerland my paper focuses on how theatres - especially the city theatre - serve as places to perform cultural identities or heritage and to negotiate issues like migration. Also, I discuss how these theatres become part of the actors' identities help to keep theatre and drama as a genre and cultural heritage alive, as non-professional players experience theatre by watching and acting.