The project ArtReal: Interdisciplinary Connections between Performative Arts and Narrative Psychology, funded by internal grants offered by both ICMA and “George Enescu” National University of Arts, focuses on a detailed exploration of the reflection and the results of systemic psychotherapy, more specifically the narrative therapy, on the performative arts actants as well as on other (nonacting) respondents. Meeting for and exchanging views on a narrative seen through the eyes not only of artists but of psychologists too can create the grounds for research and also for an interdisciplinary alternative to further develop the contemporary drama techniques in relation with sciences.

The series of workshops Transformative Narrative Practices: The Tree of Life and The Identitary Exploration in the Performative Arts, developed within the ArtReal project, emphasized the relational aspects: among different individuals, between an individual and specific concepts, ideas, discourses and norms, between people and their community or cultural background, focusing on interactions, a series of criteria also used in the forum theatre techniques of Augusto Pinto Boal who both wrote about and practised them on stage. The students and the other participants were invited to discover alternative methods to the usual acting techniques as a means to dynamically explore and rewrite their identities.

Ovidiu Gavrilovici is a PhD Habil lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, the Psychology Department, within the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University from Iași and founder president of “Psiterra” Association. His teaching activity includes psychological counselling and narrative therapy courses. For over a decade he has been promoting the narrative approach in psychology, treatments, education, health, professionalization and leadership techniques in Romania. A self-employed psychologist, supervisor and trainer, he owns a medical license certified by the College of Romanian Psychologists.

Cezara Fantu is an actress at the National Athenaeum of Iași, in her final year of academic studies at the Psychology Department within the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, and a PhD candidate at the “George Enescu” National University of Arts. Her cotutelle thesis entitled The Feminine Shakespearian Narratives. Vulnerable Characters and Their Transposition into Psychodrama deals also with dramatherapy. She is involved in various projects that combine art and therapy.

The workshops are part of the ICMA – UNAGE grant ArtReal: Interdisciplinary Connections between Performative Arts and Narrative Psychology coordinated by PhD. Assoc. Prof. Ioana Petcu-Pădurean, PhD. Assoc. Prof. Dorina Comănescu and PhD candidate Ileana Ocneanu.