Bertolt Brecht and 21st Century Verfremdung

“Not at all pertinent”

Investigation

Bertolt Brecht’s concept of Verfremdung (“defamiliarization”) originated in his Weimar-era plays. Not at all, Pertinent uses 21st century examples from politics and culture alongside Brecht’s testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947 to activate Verfremdung and demonstrate that how we say something is just as important as what we say. Part verbatim performance, part museum-style exhibition, part lecture with a sprinkle of participation, audience members will explore when the present becomes history and when history becomes present.

Not at all Pertinent was performed in partnership with Carnegie Hall for their “Fall of the Weimar Republic: Dancing on the Precipice” series.

---

Production Credits:

Acting Ensemble:
Ashley Renee Thaxton-Stevenson
Daryl Embry
Nayib Felix
Scott Michael Morales
Stephanie Anderson
Suzy Jane Hunt
Tammie L. Swopes

Created by:
Joe Salvatore & Keith R. Huff

Spring 2024 Interns:
Madelynne Appleton
Jacqueline Chen
Wenqi Chen
Jiaqi Ling
Camila Pagan Rodriguez
Olivia Qian
Isabel Solivan