Experimental theatre is a general term for various movements in Western theatre that began in the 20th century as a reaction against the then-dominant conventions governing the writing and production of drama, and against naturalism in particular. The term has shifted over time as the mainstream theatre world has adopted many forms that were once considered radical. It is used more or less interchangeably with the term avant-garde theatre.

See also: History of theatre.

Genres and movements

• Improvisational theatre
• Performance art
• Street theatre
• Theatre of the Absurd
• Surrealism
• Futurism

Key figures

Writers

• Antonin Artaud (Theatre of Cruelty)
• Bertolt Brecht (Epic Theatre)
• Jean Cocteau
• Dario Fo

Directors

• Peter Brook
• Andre Gregory
• Jerzy Grotowski (Poor Theatre)
• Elizabeth LeCompte
• Tadeusz Kantor
• Vsevolod Meyerhold (Biomechanics)
• Ariane Mnouchkine

Groups

United Kingdom

• Complicite
• Forced Entertainment website

United States

• Big Art Group
• Bread and Puppet Theater
• The Living Theatre
• Mabou Mines
• The Open Theater
• Playhouse of the Ridiculous
• Squat Theatre
• The Tantalus Theatre Group website
• The Wooster Group
• Big Dance Theater website

Theatrical genres

實驗劇場 | Théâtre expérimental