If you want to think about the portrayal of AI Technology in theatre, discuss a contemporary play with both fellow students and the crew of the English Theatre Düsseldorf, visit rehearsals and host a panel discussion on stage, sign up in HIS-LSF now!

The class will be taught by Prof. Dr. Schober and is open for both BA and MA students.

Course Description:

How can we put AI on the stage? Do we relate to our 'data double' like actors relate to their roles? In this seminar we will collaborate with the English Theatre, Düsseldorf. We will read and discuss Lauren Gunderson’s play “Anthropology” which will be performed at Theatermuseum Düsseldorf (Jägerhofstr. 1) from March 6-March 15, 2025. The play is a thriller about an AI chatbot who is a simulated version of the young woman Angie, created by her sister Merrill after Angie’s declared murder. The play addresses digital selfhood, data doubles, authenticity, AI emotions, and data traces through dark humor. It engages questions that are core to our being human in a world shaped by AI. As The Guardian noted in a review of Anthropology, “crucially, no chatbot could surely ever write anything as original and compelling as a play that makes a powerful case for human writing intelligence“.

The seminar consists of several parts that will be stretched over two separate blocks:

1. February 19-20, 2026  

   1. 2 day-seminar at HHU Düsseldorf (get to know and discuss play, identify key topics) Room 2321.02.22
   2. visit performance in Düsseldorf Bilk; Benzenbergstr. 60 (attend rehearsal and talk to cast/director)

    

2. March 11-13, 2026
   1. Full-day seminar at HHU Düsseldorf on March 11 (prepare panel discussion) Room 2321.02.22
   2. Attend performance at Theatermuseum Düsseldorf, Jägerhofstr. 1 AND hold a post-performance panel discussion
   3. Half-day concluding seminar session at HHU Düsseldorf on March 13 Room 2321.02.22

Interested? Sign up now via HIS-LSF!
Regarding any questions, don't hesistate to contact american-studies(at)hhu.de!