Qualifications

Profile

I am a theatre and performance scholar, teacher, and practitioner with international experience working across a wide range of creative, educational, and research contexts. Originally from Brazil, I migrated to Aotearoa, New Zealand, in 2000 and continue to explore and foster international approaches to theatre-making. My expertise is grounded in investigating approaches to devising, theatre directing, making and writing for performance in professional, community and Indigenous settings. My research fields are theatre masks, acting training, physical theatre, popular theatre and theatre history.

My PhD thesis investigates the undocumented genealogy of French theatre teacher Jacques Lecoq and his descendants in Aotearoa, New Zealand. I provide ways to understand how Lecoq’s pedagogy interacts with the specific cultural context of Aotearoa, New Zealand, and acknowledge his impact and relevance in the history of New Zealand Theatre. I have a developing research profile, including English and Brazilian Portuguese publications. My contributions to developing knowledge and theory of contemporary theatre approaches and decolonial prison theatre practice have been published in peer-reviewed journals. My research in the contemporary reinterpretation of Commedia dell’Arte has been published as a book chapter in a leading edited volume exploring the evolution of the art form in the Asia-Pacific. My investigation of devising methods has been published in two book chapters, describing the connection between dialectical theatre and devising and the challenges of devising theatre in tertiary education. I have ongoing research collaborations with international scholars and practitioners from Brazil, Italy, Spain, Indonesia, and the Marquesas Islands, exploring international approaches to the theory and practice of mask training and performance.

My directorial work includes producing 13 theatre performances, which were presented in professional theatres, festivals and conferences in Aotearoa, New Zealand and overseas.

Publications

Byrnes, V., Miller, M., Whitham, A., Wallace, W., Hawthorne, E., & Ilgenfritz, P. (2023). Tertiary Education Reforms Challenge the Conservatory: Actor Training at Unitec and the Creative Agency of Change (Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand). The Australian Actor Training Conference 2023: Crisis and Creativity, Ballarat, Australia/Online.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2022). Máscaras Teatrais e a Cultura Māori: Experimentos Sincréticos no Pacífico Sul. 4° Encontro Poéticas do Inanimado: Campos Expandidos, Curitiba, Brazil.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2022). The Journey of Jacques Lecoq's Theatre Pedagogy to Aotearoa New Zealand. Australasian Association for Theatre, Drama and Performance Studies Conference, 2022, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.

Byrnes, V., Miller, M., Hawthorne, E., Whitham, A., Wallace, W., & Ilgenfritz, P. (2022). Values-based education in Te Pūkenga conservatory: Successful actor training at Unitec. Unitec-MIT Research Symposium, Auckland, Online.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2022). It was, and it wasn't Commedia dell'Arte: A conversation about Leilani by Mahuika Theatre Company. Di Niro, C. & Crick, O. London.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2022). Aotearoa dell'Arte - Uma pesquisa sobre a meia-máscara em Auckland na Nova Zelândia (translation: Aotearoa dell'Arte - A Research about half-masks in Auckland, New Zealand). III Colóquio Internacional Mascaramento na Cena Expandida: Criação e Transmissão de saberes, Crato, Ceará - Brazil.

Ilgenfritz, P., & Janman, P. (2022). Memories of the Future: The problem of Devising Contested History in a University Context. Fitzsimmons Frey, H. Hyland, N. & McKinnon, J. London.

Ilgenfritz, Pedro., Hazou, Rand., & Woodland, Sarah. (2021). Performing Te Whare Tapa Whā: Building on Cultural Rights to Decolonise Prison Theatre Practice. RiDE - Research in Drama in Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performanc (Vol. 26(3)).

Lazzari, F., & Ilgenfritz, P. (2020). Um Retorno as Origens. Caixa de Ponto - Jornal Brasileiro de Teatro (Vol. 12).

Ilgenfritz, P. (2020). Bienvenue au théâtre du geste - Welcome to the theatre of gesture: Welcoming Jacques Lecoq's theatre methodology in New Zealand. ACTS OF GATHERING. PERFORMING FUTURES. ROARING CHANGE. Goodbye-Hello. Hello-Goodbye. Sydney, Autralia.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2019). Masking to reveal: Mediating the real in prison documentary theatre. Performing Artefacts is an interdisciplinary conference hosted by the Performance of the Real Research Theme, The University of Otago, Ōtepoti/Dunedin, New Zealand.

Ilgenfritz, P., (Theatre Director) (2019). Mascaras, a theatre performance as part of International Theatre Festival, Festival Isnard de Azevedo/Floripa Teatro. Teatro da Ubro, 27 September, House of Fools.

Ilgenfritz, P., (Co)-creator (2019). Ngā Pātū Kōrero: Walls That Talk. Auckland Prison Paremoremo, 14 June - Massey University Project.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2018). The Joyful Spirit of Mask Improvisation. Drama NZ Conference 2018 - He ngākau ngahau : a joyful heart, Auckland, New Zealand.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2017). Jacques Lecoq's Neutral Mask and the universal poetic sense of Marcel Jousse. PhD Work in Progress Day, University of Auckland.

Ilgenfritz, P., Hazou, R., Gordon, D., & Diamonds, D. (2017). Theatre Behind Bars - Prison Performances. (1 Hour performance). Auckland Prison, Paremoremo, 22nd June 2017.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2017). Belonging and theatre masks in Aotearoa: Mahuika Theatre Company and the theatre masks of 'Leilani'. Performing Belonging ​in the 21st ​Century - Australasian Theatre, Drama and Performance Studies (ADSA), Annual Conference, Auckland University of Technology - Auckland, New Zealand.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2017). Neutral Mask and Jacques Lecoq Theatre Pedagogy in New Zealand and Brazil. University of Auckland, Auckland.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2016). Diversity Project - Ngati Whatua meets Mahuika Theatre Company. Ngati Whatua Orakei Marae, 3rd December, Mahuika Theatre Company and Ngati Whatua Orakei Kapa Haka Group.

Ilgenfritz, P., (Director), & (Dramaturg) (2016). Leilani. Q Theatre, 4 - 13 August, Mahuika Theatre Company.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2016). Masked Street Intervention by Mahuika Theatre Company - Auckland Arts Festival 2016, White Night, Auckland. Street Theatre, 12th March.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2016). Guide me without touching my hand: Reflections on the dramaturgical development of the devised-theatre show One by One. Auckland, New Zealand, UNITEC ePress Occasional and Discussion Paper Series (Vol. Number 4/2016).
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/3615

Ilgenfritz, P., (Director) (2015). '2063'. Auckland, New Zealand, Performing and Screen Arts Acting Department, Unitec.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2014). Dialectical Theatre and Devising: Dramaturgy as a Dialogue between the Author and the Audience. K. Trencsenyi, and B. Cochrane (Eds). New Dramaturgy - International Perspectives on Theory and practice. Bloomsbury: London.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2014). Guide me without touching my hand: The process of dramaturgical development of a devised theatre show without words. Tangier, Morocco. 30 May - 2 July.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2013). Mask Improv Workshop. UNITEC.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2013). Clown Workshop. New Windor Primary School - Auckland.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2013). One By One [a play]. (Director & Producer). Auckland Fringe Festival, Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland, New Zealand, February 26 - March 2, LAB Theatre Company.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2013). The Whau Fables - Street Theatre (Director/writer). Rosebank Road Artwalk/Site Work - Auckland Arts Festival. Curated by Marcus Williams. Auckland, New Zealand.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2012). Comic Interludes by LAB Theatre commissioned by The Edge - Unwrapping Christmas Project. Aotea Square - Auckland.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2011). One By One (Director). Musgrove Studio - Auckland, Performance season from 1/8 to 6/8 - 7 performances.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2010). Alfonsina (Director). Florianopolis. Brazil, SESC Prainha Theatre. 17th to 18th July 2010.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2010). Heart, Honesty and Discipline: Mask Training and the Foundation of Lab: Research Theatre Company. E-Journals, New Zealand Journal of Research in Performing Arts and Education: Nga Mahi a Rehia (Vol. Volume 3).

Ilgenfritz, P. (2010). Alfonsina (Director). Wellington Fringe festival, Gryphon Theatre. 4 Mar 2010 to 6 Mar 2010.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2010). Alfonsina. New Zealand and Brazil, Various locations in Dunedin, Wellington, Auckland and Florianopolis.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2010). The Preparatory Work for Neutral Mask Training: Breathing, Sustaining and Transition. Australasian Association for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies 2010 Conference, Canberra, Australia, 29 June - 2 July.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2010). Alfonsina. Auckland, Epsom Girls Grammar.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2010). Alfonsina. Auckland, Marist College.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2010). Alfonsina. Auckland, Musgrove Studio.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2010). Alfonsina. Dunedin, Globe Theatre.

Ilgenfritz, P., and Chappell, C. (2009). Harmonious Oddity. Melbourne. Australia, Gas Works Theatre.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2009). Alfonsina. Auckland, Unitec Theatre.

Ilgenfritz, P., Ariel, A., Burson, K., and Cohen, G. (2009). Alfonsina. Auckland.

Ilgenfritz, P., and Chappell, C. (2008). Harmonious oddity. Hamilton, Meteor Theatre.

Ilgenfritz, P., and Chappell, C. (2008). Harmonious oddity. Dunedin, Mary Hopewell Theatre.

Ilgenfritz, P., and Chappell, C. (2008). Harmonious Oddity. Auckland, Maidment Theatre.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2007). Workshop - A Dance/Theatre collaboration between theatre director Pedro Ilgenfritz and choreographer Catherine Chappell for Touch Compass Dance Trust. This was a workshop to develop material for a new show in 2008. Auckland, TAPAC - The Auckland Performing Arts Centre.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2007). Comedy workshop for high school students at Kristin College - Albany. Auckland, Kristin College.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2007). Clown workshop for young women - Future Leaders Programme - YWCA. Auckland, UNITEC.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2007). Theatre Workshop for the Immigrant Centre. The workshop was aimed at young immigrants. Auckland, Auckland Regional Migrant Services Charitable Trust - Three Kings.

Ilgenfritz, P. (2007). Clown Workshop for actors, dancers and drama teachers. Focused on improvisation, mask work and basic elements of comedy. Auckland, Luxemburg Gardens.