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Verbatim Performance Lab

A Project of NYU Steinhardt's Program in Educational Theatre

What is Verbatim Performance?

Verbatim performance is the precise portrayal of an actual person using their exact speech and gestural patterns as a data source for investigation, literally “word for word” & “gesture for gesture.” Read more about verbatim performance and the VPL mission statement.

Recent Projects by VPL

That's Not a Partisan Feeling, That's Patriotic

A new interview-based project aimed at better understanding what people living and working in the United States want and expect from a President ahead of the upcoming election.

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Professor interviewing student with a microphone

Bertolt Brecht and 21st Century Verfemdung

An exploration of Verfremdung (“defamiliarization”) using 21st century examples from politics and culture alongside Brecht’s testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947.

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Bertolt Brecht 3 color images of his face in a row

We're Not There Yet

An exploration of moments from the confirmation hearings of Judge Clarence Thomas in conversation with the 50th anniversary of Title IX and ongoing conversations of issues of sexual violence on college and university campuses.

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Justice Thomas and Anita Hill being sworn in

News and Events

Educational Theatre Student Olivia Qian on Why Her Research Can’t Wait

Olivia Qian and other NYU undergraduate students are gaining meaningful lab and field experience long before grad school.

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The Two Worlds Project

(PLESS HALL, 3RD FLOOR) The Two Worlds Project is an interview-based verbatim documentary play by doctoral candidate Ryan Howland about the rural/urban divide in NY state.

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MatraSpeak

(82 WASHINGTON SQUARE E.) MatraSpeak is an arts-based research project that utilizes in-depth interviews with 45 working mothers in the New York area about personal identity, success, and ambition.

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NYU Celebrates Constitution Day with Debut of Verbatim Performance Lab Piece

"That’s Not a Partisan Feeling, That’s Patriotic" portrays real-life interview subjects’ complex thoughts on the role of the U.S. president.

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Using Theatre to Confront Healthcare Discrimination in NYC

The NYC Health Equity Project’s recent workshop explored how theatre can help change discriminatory attitudes and actions in healthcare.

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Students Gain Hands-on Practice in Human Rights Advocacy in International Education Course

“International Studies in Human Rights Education and Activism” focuses on the role of stories, narrative, and bearing witness in human rights practice.

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Courses

Contact Us

Joe Salvatore, Lab Creator and Director js1655@nyu.edu   

Keith R. Huff, Associate Lab Director keithrhuff@nyu.edu