Mission

In seeking to increase regular research activity in the sphere of theatre studies, in 1994 the doors opened to what today has become one of the most important and dynamic centres encouraging projects in this field and widely disseminating the knowledge gradually acquired within its confines: Centre for Theatre Studies / Centro de Estudos de Teatro (CET), currently directed by Maria João Almeida.

The CET was founded by Professor Osório Mateus intending it to act as a privileged stage on which scientific research activity would be undertaken and researchers trained. The centre was also designed to follow an open-door policy so as to debate ideas, confront theory with practice and pursue dynamic, productive team work that would lead to gaining greater knowledge of the theatre in Portugal. The Centre is lodged in the Faculty of Letters, University of Lisbon (FLUL) although among its members are researchers (and assistants) belonging to other universities and schools around the country (Oporto, Algarve and Open Universities, the Lisbon Higher School of Education, secondary schools), as well as PhD students post-doc, researchers and theatre professionals.

Historical and sociological research has allowed important data collecting and registering not only on the Portuguese theatre but also about the theatre produced and staged in Portugal. It has thus earmarked this as one of the main activities carried out by the Centre for Theatre Studies. It has therefore developed programmes such as CETbase– a Database on the Theatre in Portugal; OPSIS– Iconographic Theatre Database; HTP online– an online History of the Theatre in Portugal, and TESOURO– critical editions of plays from the 16th to the 19th century.

Over the past few years, publishing has likewise occupied an important place in the Centre’s work not only because it underpins each of the different research programmes, but also because it allows the Centre to publicise the results of its researchers’ labours in a more systematic way.