Theater manifestos uniquely intertwine a critique of prevailing social conditions with a profound desire for change. They represent a distinctive literary and performative form that, at least since the early twentieth century, has shaped our understanding of theater and redefined theaters' understanding of themselves. Beyond content, theater manifestos probe the very limits of what is possible and necessary - both through their modes of expression and through the theatrical forms they call for. In a conversation between Milo Rau and the editors of the international, multilingual journal ephemer – Journal for Performance and Theater Research, the potentials and limitations, as well as the effects and impacts of theater manifestos, are discussed.

Editors: Lily Climenhaga, Silke Felber, David Krych, Noah Lena Vercauteren