Theatre as Techne: How to Account for the Epistemic Work Across Arts and Science

Abstract

This article explores how theatre can serve as a tool for self-reflection and co-creation of knowledge for healthcare professionals, particularly those who have faced the trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic. A case study is presented of doctors and nurses in Bergamo who used a theatre workshop to rework their experiences, culminating in the creation of a theatre play performed for the city. The article contributes to the fields of Art, Science, and Technology Studies (ASTS) and Medical Humanities, arguing that theatre, as techne (practical knowledge), not only disseminates research findings but can also provide epistemic work generating new narratives and fostering a deeper understanding of care practices, highlighting the importance of affective communication. The article illustrates how the project served as an epistemic laboratory where knowledge is co-generated among healthcare professionals, theatre professionals, and researchers, and then divulged to the public. The detailed analysis of the project’s unfolding, from the theatre workshop to the performances, shows how art can engage critically with science, challenging traditional conceptions of knowledge production and communication.