Dr. Elena Backhausen

Academic Self-Categorizations: Where do I situate myself?

During my studies in Theatre Studies, German Studies, and Dramaturgy at the universities of Mainz, Helsinki, Frankfurt am Main, and Stockholm, my academic orientation developed within the humanities and cultural studies. Throughout this time, I maintained a strong interest in theoretical work. In particular, I consider the intersection of theatre studies and philosophy to be epistemologically productive in the sense of Performance Philosophy. My academic socialization has been strongly shaped by approaches from Critical Theory and Deconstruction, which continue to guide my thinking to this day.

Self-Narrations: What defines me?

I enjoy reading, writing, speaking, arguing, and reflecting. I rarely let go of questions too quickly; instead, I remain persistent and probe further when conceptual constructions begin to falter. I am curious and eager to look behind the curtain. At the same time, I am happy to let myself be enchanted by the illusion of theatre. That I am able to pursue these passions – as well as my intrinsic motivation to remain skeptical – in my professional life as a research associate in theatre studies feels like an almost indecent stroke of luck.

Research Focus and Differentiation

What am I currently researching?

In the second phase of the Collaborative Research Centre (SFB), I am part of the project “Human Differentiations of the Audience: Inclusion and Exclusion through Practices of Addressing and Segregation in Contemporary Theatre.” The project investigates how audiences within the German-speaking theatre landscape are differentiated, included, grouped, and situationally formed into communities through practices of addressing and segregation.

I am particularly interested in the implicit assumptions about “the audience,” as well as about the conditions and necessities of participation in theatre, that are currently produced, reinforced, transformed, or called into question. What categories of people do theatre makers, dramaturgs, artistic directors, and public relations staff at theatre festivals imagine when they conceive and design programmes, brochures, websites, and theatre spaces?

What have I researched previously?

During the first phase of the SFB, I conducted research on sport for visually impaired athletes. My dissertation examines how in:dependence is performatively produced as a social construction. Working ethnographically brought me into contact with sociological research perspectives, expanded my methodological repertoire, and highlighted the relevance of theatre studies approaches for understanding complex forms of performance. At the same time, it demonstrated how theoretical perspectives can emerge from such analyses that extend beyond the specific object of study itself. Beyond analyzing the practices of visually impaired sports, I conceptualize in:dependence as a category of human differentiation and formulate initial approaches toward a theory of in:dependence as relational performance.

What have I published?

Among other publications, I am co-editor of the two international edited volumes Out of Time? Temporality in Disability Performance (Routledge, 2023) and Independence and Collectivity: Configurations of Dis/ability Performance (Routledge, forthcoming).

My dissertation Performances of In:dependence: Relational and Interdependent Practices in Visually Impaired Sports will be published in spring 2027 by Neofelis Verlag.

Foto: Stephanie Füssenich