Existence Theatre – Masterclass at JAMU International Theater Conference 2026
As artists, we are compelled to investigate the potential of AI as a constructive ally in the creative process, especially during the visualisation and planning phases of performance work. This includes tasks such as refining foreign language texts and generating images for conceptual presentations. We also acknowledge the growing concerns surrounding AI’s use, whether as a deliberate, subconscious, or hidden tool. Our focus is on how AI can support conceptual development while preserving the distinct contributions of artists, performers, and human creators. Our latest project, titled Human Error, delves into the significant effects of artificial intelligence on human thought and behaviour. Nonetheless, an overreliance on AI may unintentionally diminish our ability to engage in reflection and critical thinking, which are vital aspects of human intelligence. We encourage participants to explore this complexity through an experiential Masterclass centred on embodiment, emphasising human connection through non-verbal communication rather than solely intellectual discourse.
This masterclass offers a 90-minute immersive experience including a 30-minute discussion at the end, led by an Australian performance art collective that critically explores embodied processes within contemporary art, often situated at the periphery of mainstream practices. Drawing inspiration from works like Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and Goethe’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, the session investigates how the unknown influences individuals and how embodied expression can deepen our comprehension of human existence. The aim is to uncover how AI can assist in refining creative ideas while preserving the essence of the artistic process, which is inherently linked to human imagination. This imaginative faculty connects us to our collective consciousness, fostering profound engagement with ourselves, others, and our surroundings—an engagement that AI has yet to replicate.
Participants will be invited to respond to sound through movement and dramatisation, utilising lines developed by the artists with AI’s assistance for their project, Human Error, which examines the intricate dynamics of individuals in a transcultural society amid the growing impact of AI.
The chance to delve into this project by experimenting with the concept will give participants space to culture-specific perspectives, delving into the complexities of connection and isolation experienced both individually and collectively. Through evocative imagery conveyed through dance, movement, and sound, this process will stimulate conversations about self-empowerment and the influence of AI on personal identity.
“And so, I immerse myself in embracing the uncertainties and contradictions, finding solace in the journey itself. I catch a glimpse of the elusive truths that lie at the core of this existence, transcending the boundaries of time and space, and touching the very essence of what it means to be human.” (The Butterfly Catcher (personified AI) in HUMAN ERROR, Existence Theatre/AUS)
Additional Notes:
Participants can view the concept of > HUMAN ERROR
Text lines will be provided onsite, comfortable clothes are recommended for participation
Interdisciplinary Australian artist with Austrian roots, artistic director, sound composer and performer. He creates works ranging from video poetry, audio-visual installations, public interventions, performance lectures, sound compositions to innovative theatre productions that deliver impactful socio-cultural commentary with a surreal touch. He develops projects on both national and international scale through artist residencies, festival commissions, conference presentations, and independent works. Over the years, Bello has concentrated on contemporary performative methods which seek to break down the conventional barriers between performer and audience while refining his distinctive approach known as EXISTENCE THEATRE. For over twenty years, he has partnered with artist Elisabeth Eitelberger, whose contributions have been essential to their artistic endeavours and theoretical explorations. Together, they established ART IN PROCESS, a collective based in Perth, Australia, dedicated to participatory performance concepts.
Australian performance artist, born and raised in Austria. She is a clinically registered psychotherapist and arts therapist, holding a Master’s degree in Philosophy along with studies in Art History and Theatre Studies from the University of Vienna. Furthering her education, she earned a Clinical Master’s in Creative Arts Therapies from Murdoch University in Perth based on psychodynamic/psychoanalytic training. Elisabeth has engaged in various artistic disciplines, including performance, live art, theatre, movement, and visual art. She has served as a performer, mentor, and performance trainer for ensemble members and participants of the EXISTENCE THEATRE, contributing to projects and social art collaborations both in Australia and internationally. Alongside her artistic endeavours, she is dedicated to her work as a mental health professional, specialising in complex and transgenerational trauma.
Proudly supported by the WA Government.