Zeitgenössische Dramentheorie und psychoanalytische Praxis

Summary Contemporary dramatic theory and the psychoanalytic practice. A relational tie of clinical relevance? In a first step, this article shows the relational tie between theatre and psychoanalysis which has already been established and fostered in Adler’s lifetime. Through the evaluation of psychoanalytic literature in comparison with the contemporary dramatic theory of theater scholar Erika Fischer-Lichte I will then offer some possibilities of how her concepts can be made useful for psychoanalytic-individual psychological thinking. By giving insight into a short case example I will show how Fischer-Lichte’s dramatic concepts (such as »rhythm«, »atmosphere« or »presence «) can be compared to psychoanalytical concepts (such as »projective identification« or »transformation«) and could be used as a tool for clinical thinking. Focusing on the concept of embodiment and non-verbal communication, as Fischer-Lichte does, is also a clear parallel to contemporary psychoanalytical developments and shall be established as such.