This article analyzes the concept of Applied Theatre as a necessary theoretical category for recognizing and legitimizing performance
practices that have been historically marginalized by traditional academic frameworks. It highlights how the development of Applied
Theatre has encountered resistance rooted in artistic hierarchies inherited from Enlightenment thought and institutionalized within
cultural institutions. The text proposes a critical examination of the term “applied”, articulating the concepts of liminal theatre (Dubatti)
and expanded theatre (Sánchez) as theoretical frameworks that reinforce the hybrid, transdisciplinary, and situated nature of these
practices, which integrate community participation, the ethical dimension of art, and its transformative impact. Finally, the article emphasizes the need to consolidate Applied Theatre as a research field within Theatre Studies, capable of integrating artistic praxis,
critical thought, and social engagement.
Sedano, A. (2025). The concept of Applied Theatre: a necessary theoretical prequel. Teatro, (13), pp. 155–179. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-6490.2025.80579
